Mexican national arrested for smuggling duffel bags full of meth in California, Border Patrol says
CBP says man with border crossing card caught with 154 pounds of methamphetamine in car
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}A Mexican national was caught smuggling multiple duffel bags filled with 154 pounds of methamphetamine into California on Monday, officials said.
El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents spotted a beige sedan while patrolling Interstate 10 near Dillon Road in Indio around 5 a.m. and pulled the car over, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said.
A K-9 unit requested to search the car, but the driver refused, officials said. The police dog sniffed around the exterior of the car and alerted agents to check the interior.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Agents found five duffel bags with multiple packages wrapped in cellophane, characteristic of how narcotics are transported, according to the agency.
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Agents seized 154 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $278,000. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
A sample from the packages was taken and tested positive for the presence of methamphetamine. The 154 pounds of the substance had an estimated street value of $278,000, according to CBP.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Five duffel bags were found inside the car. Each bag held packages of meth, officials said. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
The driver, identified as a Mexican national with a border crossing card, was arrested. Officials said his entry benefits were revoked.
The driver, identified as a Mexican citizen, had a border crossing card, officials said. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
The border agents were on patrol as part of Operation Apollo, a joint regional operation comprised of federal, state and local agencies working to combat the threat from fentanyl and other illicit synthetic narcotics.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}So far in fiscal 2024, agents have seized about 43,000 pounds of meth. Throughout fiscal 2023, they seized about 140,400 pounds of meth.