Border Patrol makes Large-Scale Liquid Methamphetamine Seizure

“El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents working at the Highway 86 U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint arrested a man suspected of smuggling narcotics Monday afternoon.

Border Patrol agents extracted a total of 218 pounds of liquid methamphetamine with an estimated value of $328,000 that was hidden in the gas tank of a vehicle.

The incident occurred at approximately 2:45 p.m., when a 21-year-old man driving a blue SUV approached the checkpoint.  At the primary inspection point a K-9 detection team trained to detect concealed people and narcotics alerted to the vehicle.  Agents sent the vehicle to secondary inspection for further investigation.

While in secondary inspection, Border Patrol agents inspected the gas tank and noticed anomalies. Agents discovered a suspicious crystallized liquid inside the tank. Subsequent testing of the liquid confirmed the presence of methamphetamine.

Border Patrol agents safely extracted a total of 218 pounds of liquid methamphetamine with an estimated value of $328,000.

The driver, drugs, and vehicle were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation and processing.

Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. For all El Centro Sector news, follow them on @CBPElCentro and @USBPChiefELC, and on Instagram @USBPChiefELC.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the comprehensive management, control, and protection of our nation’s borders, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection at and between official ports of entry.”