Border Patrol Agents Bust Mexican National With Meth

Border Patrol agents working an inland checkpoint in southern California busted a Mexican national after finding 25 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in his car.

The agents assigned to the Highway 86 Border Patrol checkpoint from the Indio Station observed a man approaching the inspection area in a gray Chevy Malibu sedan, information obtained by Breitbart Texas from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials revealed. A K-9 officer alerted to the possible presence of drugs in the car and agents referred the driver to a secondary inspection area.

A K-9 again alerted to the rocker panel area of the Malibu. Agents searched the vehicle and discovered 20 plastic-wrapped bundles they suspected contained drugs.

Preliminary testing revealed the bundles tested positive for the characteristics of a substance containing methamphetamine. The seizure netted approximately 25 pounds of the illicit drug with an estimated street value of $80,064, officials stated.

“This seizure not only denies Transnational Criminal Organizations the money and resources needed to continue their illicit activities but also helps keep our communities safe,” Assistant Chief Patrol Agent David S. Kim said in the statement obtained by Breitbart Texas.

This encounter with the alleged drug smuggler occurred on Sunday afternoon at about 2:30 p.m. local time. Agents determined the driver of the 2011 Chevrolet Malibu was a 26-year-old Mexican national. The alleged drugs and the vehicle were seized by Border Patrol agents. The Mexican national, along with the seized evidence were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Agency for possible prosecution on charges of drug smuggling.

During the first six weeks of this fiscal year, agents from the El Centro Sector have seized over 84 pounds of methamphetamine.

Bob Price serves as associate editor and senior political news contributor for Breitbart Texas. He is a founding member of the Breitbart Texas team. Follow him on Twitter @BobPriceBBTX.