NILAND, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol Agents halted a narcotics smuggling attempt on Tuesday.
The incident occurred at approximately 1:45 p.m., when a man driving a silver Mercury Mariner approached the Highway 111 checkpoint. A Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted to the vehicle in the primary inspection lane. Agents directed the vehicle to enter the secondary inspection area for further investigation.
While in secondary inspection, agents discovered two wrapped packages in the back seat concealed inside a projector and a power supply box. The substance inside the packages tested positive for the characteristics of methamphetamine. Agents arrested the man and took him to the detention area for further processing.
The total weight of the methamphetamine was 10.6 pounds with an estimated value of $23,850.
The man, a 30-year-old United States citizen, the vehicle and the narcotics were turned over to Homeland Security Investigations.
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