Border Patrol makes two drug-related arrests this weekend

Border Patrol agents arrested a woman and a teenager suspected of smuggling narcotics on two separate occasions at the Highway 86 checkpoint over the weekend.

On Saturday, a 25-year-old woman driver and two male passengers approached the checkpoint at around 7:10 a.m. in a white 2007 Chevrolet HHR. Agents sent the woman to secondary inspection after a K-9 alerted to the vehicle.

The canine detection team alerted to the quarter panel where 66 packages were hidden. Testing of its contents revealed that 57 packages tested positive for the characteristics of methamphetamine and nine packages tested positive for heroin.

The weight of the packages of methamphetamine was 69.99 pounds and had an estimated street value of $230,967. The weight of the heroin was 14.39 pounds and had an estimated street value of $129,510.

The woman, a Mexican citizen, the male passengers, vehicle, and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The second incident occurred on Saturday at approximately 8:25 a.m., when a 17-year-old juvenile approached the same checkpoint in a black 2000 Acura TL. Agents referred the vehicle to secondary for further examination.

Agents searched the vehicle and discovered 41 packages in an aftermarket compartment behind the gas tank. All packages tested positive for the characteristics of methamphetamine.

The total weight of the methamphetamine was 36.08 pounds and had an estimated street value of $119,064.

The juvenile, a United States citizen, the vehicle, and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.