Agents arrest driver, seize $119K in meth
Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Interstate 8 Immigration Checkpoint arrested a lawful permanent resident alien early Thursday morning for allegedly attempting to smuggle methamphetamine.
At approximately 2:30 a.m., Wellton Station agents sent a red 2012 Ford F-150 to the secondary inspection area after a Border Patrol K-9 gave a positive alert to an odor it is trained to detect.
During a subsequent search of the vehicle, agents found seven vacuum-sealed packages filled with a crys- tallized substance hidden among labor safety equipment under the back seat — which agents said was an attempt to disguise the driver as being part of local work traffic.
The total weight of the drugs — which turned out to be methamphetamine — was nearly 40 pounds, and they had a street value of almost $119,000.
The driver was arrested and the drugs were seized, according to information provided by agent Jose J. Garibay III of the Yuma Sector Public Affairs Office.
Yuma County residents can help the Border Patrol and U.S. Customs and Border Protection by calling 1-866-999-8727 toll-free to report suspicious activity. Callers may remain anonymous.
James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 5396854. Find him on Facebook at www. Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.