El Centro Sector Border Patrol seize methamphetamine hidden in fuel tank

A man was arrested by the El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents for suspicion of smuggling methamphetamine at the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint on Sunday morning.

Agents say the 45-year-old man was driving a 1998 Ford F-150 when he approached the checkpoint. A canine alerted to his vehicle and agents say he was sent to secondary inspection for further investigation.

While in secondary inspections, agents say they discovered 20 cellophane wrapped bundles concealed in a compartment located inside the vehicle’s fuel tank. After agents examined the packages, they determined the content was consistent with characteristics of methamphetamine, agents say.

According to agents, the weight of the methamphetamine is 50.67 pounds, worth $116,541.

The man, vehicle and the narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.