OCOTILLO, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested two suspected drug smugglers and seized more than 80 pounds of methamphetamine on County Road S-2 Saturday afternoon after the driver failed to yield.
The incident occurred at approximately 5:30 p.m., when agents attempted to execute a vehicle stop on a white Lincoln MKX. A man driving the vehicle and its occupant failed to yield to the agents. After a brief pursuit, the driver finally came to a stop.
A Border Patrol canine detection team was requested and responded to the stop. The team conducted a canine sniff of the exterior of the vehicle and yielded a positive alerted to rear of the vehicle. The vehicle and its occupants were transported to the Hwy 86 checkpoint for further investigation.
While at the checkpoint agents discovered 62 packages hidden inside the spare tire of the vehicle as well as 11 additional packages inside a tote bag. Agents determined that the substance was consistent with the characteristics of methamphetamine.
The total weight of the methamphetamine discovered was approximately 82 pounds, with an estimated value of $155,800.
The driver, a 35-year-old man and his passenger a 35-year-old woman, both United States citizens, the narcotics and vehicle were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).