INDIO, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested a United States citizen and a Legal Permanent Resident Friday evening after finding 50.9 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in a spare tire inside the vehicle’s trunk.
At approximately 11 p.m., agents conducting anti-smuggling operations performed a vehicle stop on a 2021 Honda Accord on Interstate 10 near Golf Center Parkway. A Border Patrol K-9 detection team assisted in the vehicle stop and alerted to the trunk of the vehicle.
After a search of the trunk agents discovered an oversize tire covered with some clothing on top of it. Agents removed the tire from the vehicle and noticed it was extremely heavy and felt objects moving inside the tire. They also noticed the spare tire was not a fit with the vehicle. Agents cut through the tire and discovered several cellophane bundles concealed inside the tire. The crystal-like content inside the bundles tested positive for methamphetamine.
The driver and passenger were in possession of 50.9 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $91,620. The driver, passenger and vehicle were turned over to local law enforcement authorities.
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