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  4. Border Patrol Finds Methamphetamine in Spare Tire

Border Patrol Finds Methamphetamine in Spare Tire

Release Date
Fri, 01/27/2017

SALTON CITY, Calif. – Border Patrol agents from the Indio Station working at the Highway 86 checkpoint arrested two people suspected of smuggling meth inside an SUV’s spare tire early Thursday morning.

Agents discovered 27 packages of methamphetamine concealed inside SUV’s spare tire.
Agents discovered 27 packages of
meth concealed inside spare tire.

The incident occurred at approximately 1:45 a.m., when the driver, a 47-year-old woman and a 22-year-old male passenger, approached the Border Patrol checkpoint in a burgundy 1998 Ford Explorer.  During the primary inspection, a Border Patrol detection canine team alerted to the vehicle. Agents referred the vehicle to secondary for further inspection.

Agents conducted a thorough examination of the vehicle and discovered 27 packages hidden in the spare tire. The contents of the packages tested positive for methamphetamine.

“Deterring these harmful drugs from poisoning our neighborhoods is another way Border Patrol agents safeguard our communities,” said David S. Kim, Assistant Chief Patrol Agent.

The methamphetamine weighed 57.6 pounds with an estimated street value of $230,400. 

The man and woman, whom were both United States citizens, the vehicle, and the narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.

In fiscal year 2017, El Centro Sector has seized more than 249.18 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