Couple with infant son suspected of smuggling meth
A 23-year-old man and 22-year-old woman were arrested Monday night by Border Patrol agents for suspected drug smuggling near the Highway 86 checkpoint.
Border Patrol agents said the couple’s infant son was in the car with them when they were stopped.
An agent pulled the man over around 6:20 p.m. about two miles south of the checkpoint. Authorities said the suspect was driving a Honda Civic and a canine alerted authorities to the lower rear side of the car.
The couple was escorted to the checkpoint where a secondary inspection revealed 19 packages of methamphetamine stuffed inside the car’s rocker panels, agents said in the release.
The methamphetamine weighed 26.57 pounds and is estimated to be worth $265,700.
The couple, both United States citizens, were handed over to the Drug Enforcement Agency for further investigation and their son was taken in by the Child Protection Agency, Border Patrol officials said.
“This seizure shows the depths individuals and criminal organizations are willing to go to conduct their illicit activities,” said Marc A. Lieberman Acting Patrol Agent in Charge of the Indio Station. “It is also a testament to the great work performed by Border Patrol agents who diligently safeguard our communities from the dangers these drugs pose.
