SALTON CITY: El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents from the Indio Station assigned to the Highway 86 checkpoint arrested a man suspected of drug smuggling at the Highway 86 checkpoint on Sunday.
The incident occurred at approximately 5:20 p.m., when a 27-year-old man approached the checkpoint driving a 1999 Ford F-150.
A Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted to the vehicle during a pre-primary inspection. Agents referred the man to the secondary inspection area for a closer examination. After an intensive search, agents discovered 25 bundles of methamphetamine stuffed inside the truck’s fuel tank.Agent discovered 28 pounds of meth hidden inside a pickup’s gas tank.
“This seizure highlights the important role played by our K-9 handlers and their partners in keeping our communities free from dangerous drugs and the violence associated with their sales and distribution,” said Marc A. Lieberman Acting Patrol Agent in Charge of the Indio Station.
The methamphetamine had a combined weight of 28.12 pounds with an estimated street value of $281,200.
The man, a citizen of Mexico, the vehicle, and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.
In fiscal year 2016, El Centro Sector has seized more than 500 pounds of methamphetamine.
