MURRIETA: Border Patrol agents arrested a 21-year-old man who was allegedly smuggling nearly 35 pounds of crystal methamphetamine on Interstate 15 in Murrieta, Calif. on Thursday afternoon. At about 3:30 p.m., agents conducted a vehicle stop on the man, who was driving a Ford Explorer on northbound I-15, near the Clinton Keith Rd. exit. During the vehicle stop, the man consented to a canine sniff of the vehicle, which was performed by a K-9 officer with the Murrieta Police Dept. The canine sniff alerted the agents to search the vehicle, leading to the discovery of 35 bundles of methamphetamine. The narcotics were located in an aftermarket compartment built into the floor of the vehicle’s rear cargo area.
The bundles of methamphetamine had a total weight of 34.94 pounds and an estimated street value of $118,796. The man was arrested and was booked into a Riverside County jail, where he is currently facing state narcotics charges. The Ford Explorer was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol. So far in fiscal year 2017, Border Patrol agents in the San Diego Sector seized 1,598.86 pounds of methamphetamine. To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on corridors of egress away from our Nation’s borders. To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.
