Border Patrol uncovers hidden meth stash in SUV muffler

A man was arrested this weekend for allegedly trying to sneak nearly 15 pounds of methamphetamine across the border in his SUV’s muffler.

According to the Border Patrol, on Saturday, at approximately 11 a.m., a 35-year-old Mexican national approached the Highway 86 checkpoint driving a white 2002 Chevrolet Trailblazer.

A Border Patrol detection canine alerted agents to the vehicle. After a secondary inspection and an intensive search, agents discovered a cloth-sealed package containing large crystals, which was later confirmed to be methamphetamine, hidden in the vehicle’s muffler.

The methamphetamine had a weight of 14.3 pounds with an estimated street value of $57,200.

The man, the vehicle, and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.

From Oct. 1, 2015 through June 30, 2016, El Centro Sector had 13,710 apprehensions, and seized more than 1,141 pounds of methamphetamine.