Man arrested after meth, fentanyl found in spare tires at checkpoint

SALTON CITY, Calif. (KYMA, KECY) - A United States citizen was arrested by El Centro Border Patrol agents after attempting to smuggle meth and fentanyl through an immigration checkpoint.

The drugs were uncovered this past weekend on Saturday morning.

At around 8:40 a.m., a blue 2007 Chevrolet Silverado neared the Highway 86 checkpoint and was sent to secondary inspection by an agent working on the primary lane.

A Border Patrol K-9 alerted agents to the vehicle.

Agents searched the interior and exterior of the vehicle and found four spare tires in the bed of the truck.

During an in-depth search, agents discovered 42 packages of a white crystal-like substance that tested positive for meth.

Another 15 packages were found containing a white powder testing positive for fentanyl.

Agents say the 31-year-old driver was in possession of 57.3 pounds of meth which has an estimated street value of $126,060 and 39.2 pounds of fentanyl estimated at $689,920.

The driver, truck and drugs were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.