TUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Border Patrol agents working the Interstate 19 Immigration Checkpoint near Amado apprehended a Mexican national Sunday, attempting to smuggle methamphetamine.
Tucson Sector agents referred a 1999 Acura for secondary inspection after it entered the checkpoint Sunday morning. Following an X-ray of the vehicle, agents discovered 42 packages of methamphetamine, weighing approximately 48 pounds, concealed inside the gas tank. The narcotics have an estimated street value of $51,000.
Agents arrested the 37-year-old male driver, while the drugs and the vehicle were processed for seizure. The case has been turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection deploys a wide variety of detection technology for its law enforcement officers to use in order keep the nation safe from illegally smuggled narcotics.
For more details regarding this news release, contact the Tucson Sector Public Affairs Office at tca-pao@cbp.dhs.gov or by phone at 520-748-3210. Tucson Sector is also LiveU capable. Contact us to schedule an interview.