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  4. Border Patrol Discovers Narcotics in Vehicle’s Gas Tank

Border Patrol Discovers Narcotics in Vehicle’s Gas Tank

Release Date
Mon, 06/19/2017
Agents discovered narcotics concealed in gas tank.
Agents discovered narcotics
concealed in gas tank.

SALTON CITY, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint arrested a man suspected of smuggling methamphetamine on Saturday morning.

The incident occurred at approximately 11:30 a.m. after a 35-year-old man approached the checkpoint in a white Infiniti SUV.

During primary inspection, a Border Patrol canine team alerted to the vehicle. Agents then referred the vehicle to secondary inspection for further examination.

At secondary inspection, the canine team alerted towards the rear end of the vehicle. Agents investigated further and discovered 25 sealed packages concealed in the vehicle’s gas tank. The packages were examined and tested positive for the characteristics of methamphetamine.

The combined weight of the packages totaled 27.29 pounds, with an estimated street value of $87,328.

The man, a Lawfully Permanent Resident, was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration along with the vehicle and narcotics for further investigation.

El Centro Border Patrol has stopped a few similar smuggling schemes that utilized vehicle gas tanks in the past month. Cocaine and heroin was found in one gas tank and 67 packages of methamphetamine were discovered in another.

Since fiscal year 2017, which started Oct. 1, 2016, El Centro Sector seized more than 1000.29 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: Mar 12, 2024