Local Border Agents Arrest Criminal Alien and Three With Meth

North of San Diego, Murrieta agents intercepted two people in a 2004 Chevrolet Blazer attempting to smuggle liquid meth.

Posted by Renee Schiavone (Editor) , March 12, 2014 at 09:33 PM



The following is a news release from the United State Border Patrol:

U.S. Border Patrol agents made several significant arrests north and south of San Diego Tuesday.

Border Patrol intelligence-collection activities revealed that a previously deported criminal alien was residing within San Diego Sector’s area of responsibility. Agents located the suspect in south San Diego at approximately 11:30 a.m. When questioned, the man admitted he was Jose Alberto Castro-Ramirez, a 45-year-old Mexican national, with prior convictions for burglary, identity theft, and vehicle theft. Agents arrested Castro-Ramirez for illegal re-entry into the U.S. following deportation and took him to a nearby station for processing. He is being held in Department of Homeland Security custody and faces Federal prosecution.

Also around 11:30 a.m., agents patrolling Interstate 215 observed a suspicious 2004 Chevrolet Blazer in a parking lot near Perris, Calif. Agents approached and questioned the 36-year-old female driver and her 30-year-old male passenger. A K-9 concurrently performed a vehicle sniff, resulting in a positive alert. Agents searched the SUV and initially located a gallon-sized container of liquid methamphetamine inside the cargo area and another inside the spare tire well. Continuing their search, agents recovered a total of 2.64 gallons of liquid meth, spread between multiple containers. The subjects were arrested for narcotics smuggling and turned over to the Riverside County Sheriff's Department.

An hour earlier, agents patrolling I-5 near Oceanside observed a suspicious 2008 Toyota Camry. When the car exited at the Aliso Creek rest area, agents approached the 21-year-old U.S. citizen driver. When questioned, the man gave inconsistent answers and a K-9 sniff of the vehicle produced an alert. Agents searched the vehicle and discovered a bundle of methamphetamine inside a black duffle bag under the driver’s seat. Additional bundles were hidden behind the inside panel of a rear door. The narcotics weighed 8.71 pounds and had an estimated street value of $87,100. The man was arrested and turned over to agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration.

To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on corridors of egress away from our Nation’s borders. To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.

http://murrieta.patch.com/groups/police-and-fire/p/local-border-agents-arrest-criminal-alien-and-three-with-meth