Border Patrol finds 21 pounds of meth hidden in man’s car

El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested a man suspected of smuggling methamphetamine at the Highway 86 checkpoint Tuesday afternoon. The 31-year-old United States citizen was stopped at the checkpoint at about 4:30 p.m.

Agents said a K9 unit alerted them to the man’s car for a secondary inspection.

While searching the car, authorities found a non-factory compartment under the rear seat area. Inside the compartment, authorities discovered 11 plastic-wrapped bundles which tested positive for methamphetamine, agents said in a release.

The narcotics weighed 21.1 pounds and are estimated to be worth $84,400 on the street.

“Every seizure our agents make is a step forward toward securing our streets and homes from dangerous narcotics and dangerous people,” said David S. Kim, Assistant Chief Patrol Agent. “I commend our agents for the hard work and dedication in keeping our communities safe.”

The Drug Enforcement Administration took the man and narcotics into custody to investigate further.