Mexican policeman held after meth found in car

A badge identifying Miguel Patron as a Mexican police officer and bags authorities said contained meth.

SANTA ANA, Calif.  — Southern California authorities have arrested a Mexican police officer they say had 50 pounds of methamphetamine in his car.

The Orange County Sheriff's Department says deputies stopped a car for vehicle code violations on Tuesday on the Interstate 5 freeway between Orange and San Diego counties.

The department says the driver seemed extremely nervous.

Authorities say 41-year-old Miguel Patron of Ensenada produced identification showing him wearing a badge and identifying him as a police officer.

When his car was searched, a drug-detecting dog located a hidden compartment. The Sheriff's Department says inside were packages of meth.

Patron was arrested and was being held on $200,000 bail. It wasn't clear whether he had an attorney.