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  4. Border Patrol Discovers Narcotics in Vehicle’s Gas Tank

Border Patrol Discovers Narcotics in Vehicle’s Gas Tank

Release Date
Mon, 02/06/2017

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

More than 40 lbs. of meth was hidden inside this car's gas tank.
More than 40 lbs. of meth was
hidden inside this car's gas tank.

The incident occurred at approximately 3:40 a.m., after a 19-year-old man approached the checkpoint in a blue 2010 Ford Fusion.

Border Patrol agents referred the man to secondary inspection for further examination.

At secondary inspection, a canine team alerted to the undercarriage of the vehicle.  Agents investigated further and discovered 30 packages concealed in the Ford’s gas tank.  The packages were examined and tested positive for the characteristics of methamphetamine. 

The combined weight of the packages totaled 43.46 pounds with an estimated street value of $173,840.

The man, a United States citizen, 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 317.63 pounds of methamphetamine.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021