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  4. Border Patrol Discovers Narcotics in SUV’s Quarter Panels

Border Patrol Discovers Narcotics in SUV’s Quarter Panels

Release Date
Wed, 03/01/2017

SALTON CITY, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Highway 86 checkpoint, arrested a man suspected of smuggling methamphetamine on Tuesday morning.

The incident occurred at approximately 9:30 a.m., after a 37-year-old man approached the checkpoint in a gold 2000 Chevrolet Tahoe.

Border Patrol agents referred the man to secondary inspection for further examination of his immigration status.

More than a dozen pounds of meth was hidden inside SUV.
Agents find more than 26 pounds
of meth hidden inside SUV.

At secondary inspection, a canine team alerted to the side of the vehicle.  Agents investigated further and discovered 20 packages concealed in the Chevrolet’s quarter panels.  The packages were examined and tested positive for the characteristics of methamphetamine.  

The combined weight of the packages totaled 26.76 pounds with an estimated street value of $85,632.

“Criminal organizations are constantly working to defeat our detection techniques,” said Assistant Chief Patrol Agent David S. Kim. “This is great work performed by Border Patrol agents who diligently safeguard our communities from the dangers of drugs.”

The man, a Legal Permanent Resident, the vehicle, and the narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.  

Since fiscal year 2017, which started Oct. 1, 2016, El Centro Sector seized more than 505.37 pounds of methamphetamine.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021