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Border Patrol Finds 20 Bundles of Meth in Fuel Tank

Release Date
Thu, 12/10/2015

SALTON CITY, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Indio Station arrested a man suspected of drug smuggling at the Highway 86 checkpoint after they discovered packages of methamphetamine hidden in the vehicle’s fuel tank today.

The incident occurred at approximately 6 a.m., when a 21-year-old man approached the checkpoint driving a 2011 Honda Accord.

A Border Patrol detection canine alerted to the vehicle.  Agents referred the man to the secondary inspection area for a closer examination.  After an intensive search, agents discovered 20 vacuum sealed bundles of methamphetamine hidden in the vehicle’s fuel tank.

The methamphetamine had a combined weight of 22 pounds with an estimated street value of $220,000.

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

In fiscal year 2014, El Centro Sector seized more than 445 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