Border Patrol finds 57 pounds of meth inside spare tire

Border Patrol agents working at the Highway 86 checkpoint arrested two people suspected of smuggling methamphetamine inside an SUV’s spare tire early Thursday morning.

A 47-year-old woman was driving with a 22-year-old man as her passenger. Agents said they’re both from the United States. The woman pulled up to the checkpoint when a canine team alerted to her SUV.

During a secondary inspection, agents discovered 27 packages of methamphetamine hidden in the vehicle’s spare tire. The meth weighed a total of 57.6 pounds and has an estimated street value of $230,400, agents said in the release.

“Deterring these harmful drugs from poisoning our neighborhoods is another way Border Patrol agents safeguard our communities,” said David S. Kim, Assistant Chief Patrol Agent.

The woman and the man were both handed over to the Drug Enforcement Agency as the investigation continues.

Agents said In fiscal year 2017, El Centro Sector has seized more than 249.18 pounds of methamphetamine.