Meth Worth $1M Seized at County Checkpoint

agents this week intercepted an estimated $1 million worth of methamphetamine at the Interstate 15 checkpoint a few miles from Lake Elsinore

An estimated 51 pounds of the illegal drug were confiscated during two separate traffic stops, said Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Michael R. Jimenez, in a news release.

The first stop occurred at about 9 a.m. Tuesday. Agents assigned to the checkpoint pulled over a 1997 Chevrolet Cavalier that was being driven by a 40-year-old male U.S citizen who was allegedly acting nervous, Jimenez said.

About 31 bundles of meth were allegedly found hidden in the rear quarter panels of the Cavalier after a Border Patrol K-9 team signaled a positive alert, triggering a search. The seized drugs weighed more than 38 pounds for an estimated street value of $762,800, Jimenez said.

Then at about 2:15 p.m. Thursday, agents stopped a 1998 Jeep Cherokee towing a 2001 Toyota Solara on a trailer.

Agents allegedly found 25 bundles of meth in the gas tank of the towed Toyota after the driver, a 31-year-old male citizen of Mexico, was referred for a secondary inspection, Jimenez said.

The K-9 team had given a positive alert in this instance as well, he said.

The seizure netted more than 13 pounds for an estimated street value of $262,200, he said.

"The suspected smugglers and narcotics were taken into custody and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation," Jimenez said. "The vehicles and trailer were seized by the U.S. Border Patrol."