Border Patrol Seizes Over $96,000 Worth of Methamphetamine at Highway 86 Checkpoint
El Centro, Calif.— A 31-year-old U.S. citizen claiming to be from Visalia, California, was arrested Monday morning after Border Patrol agents discovered more than 114 pounds of methamphetamine hidden inside his vehicle at the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint.
According to Border Patrol officials, the incident occurred around 11:50 a.m. when a sedan approached the checkpoint for inspection. A Border Patrol K-9, trained to detect narcotics and concealed persons, alerted agents to the vehicle, prompting a more thorough search in the secondary inspection area.
During the inspection, agents discovered an aftermarket compartment hidden beneath the vehicle’s floorboards. Inside, they found several tightly wrapped packages that bore characteristics consistent with narcotics smuggling. Upon testing, the substance inside the packages was confirmed to be methamphetamine.
In total, authorities seized 114.5 pounds of meth, with an estimated street value of $96,942. The driver was taken into custody and is facing charges related to the transportation of a controlled substance. Both the driver and the narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation and prosecution.
El Centro Sector Chief Gregory K. Bovino emphasized the significance of the seizure, stating, “This hefty seizure represents something significant happening here in the Premier Sector and across the Border Patrol, namely that cartel terrorists have an ever more difficult time smuggling drugs. Our checkpoints are open for business, and Border Patrol agents know more, much more, than cartel terrorists know.”
For more information on U.S. Customs and Border Protection operations, visit www.cbp.gov.