2 separate meth busts seize over 21 lbs. Thursday

Two meth busts were made by border patrol agents on Thursday at the Indio Station.

Over 21 lbs. of methamphetamine was seized in the two separate incidents, according to agents with El Centro Sector Border Patrol.

Agents said the first bust was made around 10:45 a.m. after a bus was stopped at the Highway 86 checkpoint. Six wrapped packages of meth were found in an abandoned backpack in the overhead storage area. The drugs weighed over four lbs.

A 47-year-old man with a temporary U.S. permanent resident ID card was taken into custody, according to agents. They said the drugs were estimated to be worth $54,000.

The second bust happened around 5:40 p.m. when a 57-year-old U.S. citizen, who was driving a Cadillac Deville, approached the Highway 111 checkpoint near Niland, California.

While searching the man’s car, agents found 46 packages of methamphetamine hidden inside the rear seat of the Cadillac. The drugs weighed 16.6 lbs. and are estimated at $199,000.

Both suspected smugglers were turned over to the DEA and both were first alerted to agents by a K9 Detection Team.

Photos: 2 meths busts in one day net 21 lbs.