NILAND, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents seized methamphetamine on two separate events over the weekend.The first incident occurred on Saturday at 11 a.m., when a man driving a white 1998 Chevrolet Silverado approached the Highway 111 checkpoint for inspection. A Border Patrol canine detection team alerted to the vehicle. Agents sent the vehicle to secondary inspection for further investigation.
A search of the vehicle was conducted and revealed several packages hidden inside the gas tank. The substance inside the packages tested positive for the characteristics of methamphetamine.
The man, a 45-year-old United States citizen, the vehicle and gas tank were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).
The total weight and value of the narcotics will be determined by the DEA as the packages were leaking powdered crystal inside the gas tank.
The second incident occurred Sunday at 2:12 p.m., when a man driving a blue 2007 Ford Explorer approached the Highway 86 checkpoint for inspection. A Border Patrol canine detection team alerted to the vehicle. Agents sent the vehicle to secondary inspection for further investigation.
A search of the vehicle was conducted and revealed a total of 19 packages hidden inside the vehicle’s spare tire. The substance inside the packages tested positive for the characteristics of methamphetamine.
The total weight of the narcotics came out to 54.5 pounds with a total estimated street value of $103,550.
The man, a 41-year-old Mexican citizen, the vehicle and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
This incident was one of several over the weekend when El Centro Sector U.S. Border Patrol agents seized kettlebell-shaped packages of methamphetamine, arrested a previously convicted sex offender, and rescued a man who became lost while trying to illegally cross into the U.S.
Methamphetamine Seized in Two Separate Events at Border Patrol Checkpoints
Release Date
Mon, 06/29/2020
Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021