PINE VALLEY, Calif. (KGTV) — Border Patrol says agents arrested two people on Thursday in separate incidents of methamphetamine smuggling.
The first incident occurred when agents stopped a woman driving a 2006 Honda Accord at the Interstate 8 checkpoint in Pine Valley. The woman was referred to secondary inspection, where agents say a canine team discovered 64 packages of methamphetamine hidden in the vehicle’s quarter panels and gas tank.
The drugs are worth an estimated street value of $186,175.
The 22-year-old U.S. citizen and the narcotics were turned over to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department.
Several hours later, a 19-year-old U.S. citizen driving a 2005 Ford Mustang was stopped at the same checkpoint. He was referred to a secondary inspection where a canine team also discovered 39 packages of meth inside the vehicle’s gas tank, worth an estimated street value of $82,250.
The man and the drugs were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Once again our agents have intercepted these dangerous drugs before they could reach the streets, poisoning our community. I am exceedingly proud of the dedication our agents exhibit every day protecting America," Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke said.
Since Oct. 1, 2019, San Diego Sector Border Patrol has seized more than 3,050 pounds of meth, accounting for 25% of all methamphetamine seized along the south-west border, CBP says.
