Thread: $500 K of Meth Intercepted at checkpoint

C.B.P. News Release

Meth Valued at $500K Intercepted at Border Patrol Checkpoint
(Tuesday, May 26, 2009)

Temecula, Calif. — Yesterday, a 59-year-old male Mexican national was arrested upon his attempt to smuggle 21.8 pounds of methamphetamine through a Border Patrol checkpoint on northbound Interstate 15 in Temecula.

Agents found 17 tightly-wrapped bundles of methamphetamine in a customized compartment inside of the vehicle.

At about 9:50 a.m., an agent encountered the man as he approached the checkpoint in a Nissan Frontier pickup truck. During the inspection, the man displayed nervous behavior and provided inconsistent answers to the agent’s questioning.

The agent referred the vehicle to a secondary inspection, where a K-9 search was conducted. The Border Patrol K-9 alerted on the vehicle, leading agents to conduct a further search of the interior of the pickup truck. The agents then discovered two manufactured secret compartments, located in the vehicle’s extended cab area.

The estimated street value of the seized narcotics is $501,400.

After the agents opened compartments, which were locked by an elaborate electronic mechanism, they discovered 17 tightly-wrapped bundles of methamphetamine. The estimated street value of the narcotics is $501,400.

The suspected smuggler and the drugs were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

As a part of the Border Patrol’s defense-in-depth enforcement approach, checkpoint operations serve as a valuable tool to prevent the smuggling of humans, drugs and other contraband to the interior of our country.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Contacts For This News Release
San Diego Sector
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (619) 216-4182 Ext: 114 or
(619) 652-9966 Ext: 192 (Spanish)

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 2009_9.xml

Yep, just down the freeway!

Wonder how that happened! Usually that place is closed!

Ken