21-year-old man busted by Border Patrol with 15 pounds of methamphetamine
A 21-year-old man was arrested by Border Patrol agents at the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint Tuesday afternoon when authorities discovered 15 pounds of methamphetamine hidden within the rear passenger side panel of the suspect’s car.
The man was stopped at the checkpoint at about 4:30 p.m. and was ordered to the secondary inspection after a Border Patrol canine team alerted to the passenger side of the suspect’s Nissan Altima.
Agents searched the car and found 12 bundles wrapped in cellophane and black tape in the rear passenger side panel, according to the news release. The packages tested positive for methamphetamine.
The narcotics weighed 15.03 pounds and are estimated to be worth $48,096 on the street.
The suspect is a U.S. citizen and he was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Agency as the investigation into the attempted smuggling continues.
El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents said they have seized more than 1,034 pounds of methamphetamine since fiscal year 2017 began October 1, 2016.
More: I-Team and Stands for You investigations
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