Border Patrol investigation yields 51 pounds of methamphetamine | State

INDIAN – Border Patrol agents from the U.S. Border Patrol’s El Centro Sector arrested three people Thursday evening on suspicion of smuggling approximately 51 pounds of methamphetamine.

On May 16, at approximately 10:30 p.m., Border Patrol agents in fully marked service vehicles observed two suspicious vehicles traveling eastbound on Interstate 10. Both vehicles exited Dillon Road and drove to a gas station. The first vehicle, a midsize sedan, drove directly to the pumps. The second vehicle, a compact sedan, drove around the gas station parking lot and then parked behind the Kia. The occupants of both vehicles exited and walked together to the gas station’s convenience store.

Agents approached the driver of the second sedan and began a consensual conversation. During this conversation, agents determined that there was a warrant for the individual’s arrest. This individual was arrested and placed in a service vehicle. The driver of the first sedan returned to the gas pumps where agents questioned him about his connection to the arrested individual’s driver and asked for permission to search the sedan. In the trunk of the vehicle, agents discovered a box containing several cellophane-wrapped packages consistent with illegal narcotics packaging. A sample was taken from one of the packages and tested positive for methamphetamine. The total weight of the methamphetamine was 51.19 pounds.

The driver of the first sedan was arrested and turned over to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office for processing and investigation, along with the vehicle and narcotics. The driver of the second sedan had a warrant out of Sacramento and was turned over for extradition. A passenger in the second sedan also had a warrant out of the U.S. Marshalls and was turned over for extradition.

Please visit www.cbp.gov to view more press releases and other information related to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. For all news from the El Centro sector, follow them on @CBPElCentro And @USBPChiefELCand up Instagram @USBPChiefELC.