Border Patrol: 19-year-old found with nearly $355K of meth & heroin at Hwy 86 checkpoint

A 19-year-old was arrested by Border Patrol agents after being accused of attempting to smuggle nearly $355,000 worth of narcotics.

The suspect arrived at the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint in Borrego Springs at around 7:10 p.m. on Tuesday.

According to the agency, the agent inspecting vehicles in the primary lanes referred the Jeep to secondary inspection. During secondary inspection, a Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted agents to the rear cargo area of the vehicle.

Agents conducted an in-depth inspection of the vehicle utilizing x-ray scanning capabilities. X-ray images revealed several anomalies located along the quarter panels.

A total of 57 packages were discovered inside the vehicle, the agency revealed. 52 packages contained a white crystal-like substance that tested positive for methamphetamine and five packages of a black-tar-like substance that tested positive for heroin.

Border Patrol officials said that the 19-year-old male driver, a US citizen, was in possession of 31.5 kilograms of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $242,900 and 6.2 kilograms of heroin with an estimated street value of $111,780.

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