U.S. Border Patrol Makes Big Meth Bust

U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Interstate 15 checkpoint foiled a narcotics smuggling attempt Tuesday that resulted in the seizure of more than 39 pounds of methamphetamine, the agency is reporting.

The seizure occurred after agents became suspicious of a 23-year-old U.S. citizen as he approached the checkpoint in a blue 1996 Subaru Outback around 10:20 a.m.

During an inspection, the man appeared nervous so he was referred to a secondary inspection area, according to a U.S. Border Patrol news release.

“A Border Patrol K-9 performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle resulting in an alert,” the release stated. 

Agents searched the Outback and discovered 16 bundles of methamphetamine inside two compartments under the driver and passenger seats; the illicit drugs had an estimated street value of $780,400, the release stated.

The suspected smuggler and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation. The vehicle was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.