PINE VALLEY, Calif.—Border Patrol agents patrolling Interstate 8 arrested two men in two separate incidents over the weekend. Both had 40 pounds of methamphetamine hidden inside their vehicles.
The first incident occurred on Saturday around 2 p.m. A 21-year-old Mexican national in a 2003 Toyota Corolla was driving westbound near Pine Valley with a flat tire and his car was fishtailing. Agents initiated a vehicle stop and the man claimed to be unaware of the flat tire. During the conversation, the agent’s K-9 alerted to the man’s Toyota. A search of the sedan revealed nine bundles of methamphetamine stashed inside the back-seat upholstery. The narcotic bundles weighed 41.01 pounds and the estimated street value is $139,434.
7 bundles of crystal meth inside
his car seats.
On Sunday at about 8 a.m., agents pulled over a 29-year-old U.S. citizen and his five passengers. As agents questioned the male driver, a nearby K-9 alerted to the man’s 2015 Dodge Challenger. A search of his car revealed seven bundles of crystal methamphetamine buried inside the front and rear seats. The driver was arrested and his female passenger and her four children were taken to a nearby station. The meth bundles weighed 40.68 pounds and the estimated street value is $130,176.
In both instances, the suspected smuggler and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The vehicles were seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.
In fiscal year 2017, Border Patrol agents have seized 1,989.86 pounds of methamphetamine in San Diego Sector.
To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on corridors of egress away from our Nation’s borders. To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.