100 pounds of meth seized at immigration checkpoint

Three meth smuggling attempts were thwarted Thursday at an immigration checkpoint, where agents seized a total of 100-pounds of drugs.

El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents who were assigned to the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint said the first incident happened at approximately 12:50 p.m. when a 20-year-old, male, U.S. citizen approached the checkpoint driving a red Ford F-150.

According to agents, a K-9 alerted the vehicle, and at secondary inspection, 10 sealed packages of meth were hidden in the bed wall of the truck.

The packages totaled 26.54-pounds and had an estimated street value of $66,350.

At approximately 2:13 p.m. agents say a 28-year-old, female, U.S. citizen approached the checkpoint in a green Jeep Compass.

An immigration inspection was performed and the vehicle was sent to a second inspection where a K-9 alerted the vehicle.

47 sealed packages of meth were hidden inside the vehicle’s gas tank and rear quarter panels.

The packages totaled to 52.28-pounds with an estimated street value of $130,700.

Agent said the third incident occurred at approximately 7:11 p.m. when a 24-year-old male U.S. citizen approached the checkpoint in a black Kia Sorrento.

The vehicle was referred to secondary inspection where a K-9 alerted the vehicle and 20 packages of meth were hidden inside the vehicle’s quarter panel.

The combined weight of the packages totaled to 22-pounds with an estimated value of $55,000.

” Our checkpoints serve as a multi-layered approach to securing our nation’s borders,” said Acting Chief Patrol Agent Ryan J. Scudder . ” Seizures such as these highlight the important job our men and women are doing on a daily basis to keep these dangerous drugs out of our communities.”