Border Patrol busts 2 women with meth & heroin in separate stops
Two women are facing charges after Border Patrol agents found narcotics in their vehicles during two separate incidents at the Highway 86 checkpoint Saturday afternoon.
A 33-year-old woman was stopped at the checkpoint at about 12:30 p.m. Saturday. Agents said they found 35 packages of methamphetamine hidden inside the rear and front seats of the sedan.
The narcotics weighed 37.53 pounds with an estimated street value of $120,096, according to the Border Patrol’s release. The woman is a Mexican citizen and she was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Agency of further investigation.
The second incident happened about an hour after the first woman was stopped at the checkpoint. Agents said a 58-year-old woman was referred to a secondary inspection where agents discovered five packages inside the rear seat of the vehicle.
Two of the packages tested positive for methamphetamine while the other three were determined to contain heroin. Agents said the meth weighed 7.24 pounds and is estimated to be worth $23,168. The heroin weighed 15.061 pounds and is worth $165,571 on the street.
The second woman facing charges is a lawfully admitted resident of the U.S.. Agents said she is also in the custody of the DEA while the investigation continues.
“Drug smuggling organizations are determined and resourceful, however, our agents and K-9 units are steadfast in protecting our community from these dangerous drugs,” said Assistant Chief Patrol Agent David S. Kim.
In fiscal year 2017, authorities said El Centro Sector has seized more than 632.1 pounds of methamphetamine and 38.61 pounds of heroin.
