SALTON CITY, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint arrested a Mexican national suspected of smuggling methamphetamine hidden in her vehicle Friday afternoon.
The incident occurred at approximately 12:30 p.m., when a 26-year-old woman approached the checkpoint in a white Dodge crossover.
During an immigration inspection, agents referred the vehicle to secondary inspection for further investigation.
In secondary, a Border Patrol canine detection team alerted to the vehicle. Agents conducted a thorough search, which revealed 12 packages concealed behind the vehicle’s engine in the area of the firewall.
The packages were examined and tested positive for the characteristics of methamphetamine. The combined weight of the packages totaled 19.52 pounds, with an estimated value of $51,728.
of meth in engine compartment.
“This drug seizure is a testament to the hard work our agents are doing on a daily basis,” said Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez. “The communities of this great nation are a little safer today.”
The woman, a Mexican national, was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration along with the vehicle and narcotics for further investigation.
So far, in fiscal year 2019, El Centro Sector agents have seized 36.68 pounds of methamphetamine, valued over $97,000.