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Border Patrol Discovers Meth in Engine Compartment

Release Date
Thu, 12/14/2017

SALTON CITY, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Highway 86 checkpoint, arrested a man suspected of smuggling methamphetamine inside a van engine compartment Wednesday morning.

Border Patrol finds 8.95 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $22,375 concealed in vehicle’s engine compartment.
Agents found 4 packages of meth
inside an engine compartment.

The incident occurred at approximately 12:40 a.m., when agents stopped a 24-year-old man in a 2003 Ford Windstar approximately six miles north of the Highway 86 checkpoint. A Border Patrol summoned a canine detection team to the scene for further inspection of the van. The canine alerted to the front of the vehicle.

Upon further search of the vehicle, Border Patrol agents found four packages stuffed inside the vehicle’s engine. Agents tested the contents of the packages. That test indicated positive for characteristics of methamphetamine.

The total weight of the methamphetamine was 8.95 pounds with an estimated street value of $22,375.

The man, a United States citizen, the vehicle and narcotics were turned-over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.

In fiscal year 2018, El Centro Sector has seized more than 232.90 pounds of methamphetamine.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021