Agents Seize Meth Hidden in Furniture at Highway 86 Checkpoint

SALTON CITY, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents seized almost 75 pounds of methamphetamine hidden inside furniture being carried in the bed of a pickup truck on Thursday at the Highway 86 checkpoint.

The incident occurred at approximately 10 a.m., when a silver Chevy Silverado approached the Highway 86 checkpoint. The agent checking vehicles in the lanes referred the vehicle aside for further investigation.

A Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted to the vehicle. Agents proceeded to inspect the bed of the truck and discovered several bundles wrapped in cellophane hidden inside the furniture that was being carried in the bed of the truck. The contents inside the bundles contained a white-crystal substance that tested positive for methamphetamine.

The driver, a 58-year-old male legal permanent resident of the U.S., was caught with 74.05 pounds of methamphetamine valued at $203,637.50.   

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