Agents arrest two men smuggling methamphetamine at two checkpoints Tuesday

Border Patrol agents arrested two men smuggling methamphetamine on two separate events at the Highway 86 and 111 checkpoints on Tuesday.

The first incident happened at around 11:30 a.m. when a 67-year-old man drove up in a white, 1997 Chevrolet S-10 pickup to the Highway 86 checkpoint.

A Border Patrol canine detection team alerted to the vehicle and was lead to a secondary inspection. Following a further inspection, agents found 22 packages hidden inside the gas tank. The substance tested positive for methamphetamine.

The total weight of the methamphetamine was 25.96 pounds and had an estimated street value of $90,877.

The man, a Mexican citizen, vehicle, and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.

The second incident happened later that Tuesday at around 3:40 p.m. A 51-year-old man arrived at the Highway 111 checkpoint in a gray, 2004 Saturn Ion.

After being referred to a secondary inspection, a Border Patrol detection canine team alerted to the passenger of the vehicle. Agents patted down the passenger and found two packages strapped to the man’s upper thighs.

The substance of the packages tested positive for methamphetamine. The total weight of the methamphetamine was 2.23 pounds with an estimated street value of $7,805.

The man, a United States citizen, and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.