Border Patrol arrests DACA recipient smuggling meth

A recipient of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program was arrested Tuesday morning at the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint after agents found methamphetamine hidden in the suspect’s vehicle.

Border Patrol agents at the checkpoint referred a 22-year-old driver to a secondary inspection. A canine detection team searched a gray Kia Optima where agents found 14 vacuum-sealed packages inside the trunk.

“Every drug seizure our agents make is an important step forward to secure our streets from dangerous narcotics and dangerous people,” said Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez. “I commend our agents for the hard work and dedication in keeping our communities safe.”

The packages weighed a total of 17.14 pounds and tested positive for methamphetamine, according to the El Centro Sector Border Patrol sector. The street value is worth about $34,284.

The suspect, vehicle and drugs were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.

Last year, the El Centro Sector seized more than 1,600 pounds of meth, valued at more than $4.3 million.