INDIO, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested two men attempting to smuggle methamphetamine early Thursday morning.
The incident occurred at approximately 12:30 a.m., when agents encountered a silver Nissan Altima near the Washington Avenue exit on Interstate 10. During the encounter, a Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted to the trunk of the vehicle. A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of a spare tire that was very heavy and appeared to be loaded with packages. Agents discovered 30 packages hidden in the spare tire and 5 packages in a portable speaker. These suspected narcotics were found in the trunk of the vehicle. The contents of the packages tested positive for the characteristics of methamphetamine. Agents arrested the men and held them for further processing.
The total weight of the methamphetamine was 36.7 pounds with an estimated value of $100,993.
El Centro Sector turned over the driver, a 46-year-old United States citizen, the passenger a 35-year-old United States citizen, the vehicle, and the narcotics to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.