Border Patrol seizes nearly $100,000 worth of methamphetamine hidden inside car

INDIO, Calif. (KESQ) - El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents continue to work on keeping drugs off the streets by seizing nearly 115 pounds of methamphetamine Monday morning.

Agents seized the meth just before noon, after a Border K-9 team alerted that there may be illegal drugs in a car crossing the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint. During inspection of the vehicle, the K-9 alerted to the floorboards, which led agents to discover a compartment added to the car that contained several wrapped packages. One of the packages was opened and tested positive for methamphetamine. 

A total 114.5 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $96,942 was removed from the car.

The driver, a U.S. citizen, was placed under arrest, accused of the transportation of a controlled substance. The driver, vehicle and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for prosecution.

El Centro Sector Chief Gregory Bovino says the 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.”