Border Patrol discovers meth under vehicle’s seats.
El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents working at the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint arrested a man suspected of smuggling methamphetamine Tuesday evening, stated a U.S. Customs and Border Protection press release.
The incident occurred at approximately 6:45 p.m. when a 31-year-old man driving a 2013 Nissan Maxima approached the checkpoint.
A Border Patrol canine detection team alerted to the vehicle and was sent to secondary inspection.
BP agents further inspected the vehicle and discovered seven packages hidden inside a compartment under the driver and passenger seats.
Agents examined the contents of the packages, which tested positive for meth. The total weight of the methamphetamine was 13.48 pounds with an estimated street value of $47,180, stated the press release.
The man was determined to be a lawfully permitted legal resident and was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Agency along with the vehicle and narcotics.
According to county Sheriff’s Office arrest records, a 31-year-old Imperial man was arrested for an alleged felony drug offense at the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint on Tuesday night.
Luis Gerardo Lozano-Perez was taken into custody by Border Patrol agents and booked into county jail for alleged possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute, stated the arrest records.
According to a federal court complaint, a BP agent saw fresh tool marks on the driver and passenger seats.
The agent removed the seats and saw aftermarket compartments beneath the driver and passenger seats as well as underneath the center console.
The BPA also saw a bundle wrapped in cellophane underneath the center console, the complaint stated.
The BP agent conducted a further search of the compartment and retrieved the seven.
Perez stated he was knowingly transporting narcotics in exchange for financial gain, stated the complaint.