Joint Drug Interdiction Effort Leads to Major Methamphetamine Seizure on Interstate 15
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“During the week of June 10, 2024, an officer from the Murrieta Police Department Special Enforcement Team (SET) attended a joint highway drug interdiction training class in Murrieta. This class was presented by the United States Border Patrol’s Highway Interdiction, Detection, and Enforcement (HIDE) Team as part of a comprehensive counter-fentanyl initiative that began in October 2023 in southern California. The initiative focuses on intelligence collection and partnerships, utilizing local Customs and Border Protection (CBP) field assets supported by federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial partners to enhance resources, collaboration, and target fentanyl smuggling into the United States.
On June 12, 2024, at approximately 10:37 a.m., Customs and Border Protection agents, along with the Murrieta SET officer, made contact with the driver of a gray Nissan Altima on Interstate 15, south of the Rainbow Valley Blvd offramp, as part of the training exercise. The driver, identified as William Chen Gamez, a 21-year-old from Whittier, was suspected of illegal activity. A police drug detection dog was requested, and it alerted to the presence of an illegal substance. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed 98 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in various locations, including the gas tank, center console, seats, and fenders.
The suspect was arrested for transportation of a controlled substance and booked into the San Diego County Jail in Vista. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) adopted the case, estimating the value of the methamphetamine at $98,000.00 USD.
For further information, media can contact Lieutenant Brendan Carney at (951) 461-6358 or via email at bcarney@murrietaca.gov.”
