Nearly 50 pounds of meth found in vehicle by CBP

Agents working at the Interstate 19 immigration checkpoint discovered nearly 50 pounds of methamphetamine in the back of a minivan Sunday afternoon, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Nogales Border Patrol agents referred a 29-year-old driver for a secondary inspection and later found 44 cellophane-wrapped packages of meth in the vehicle’s spare tire compartment.

CBP said the narcotics were estimated to be valued at $98,000.

The driver was arrested on drug smuggling charges and will remain in custody pending a disposition, according to CBP.

CBP said agents seized the vehicle and narcotics.