$500K in drugs seized at checkpoint.

Three women were arrested for alleged narcotics smuggling at the Highway 86 checkpoint over the weekend, Border Patrol reported.

An unidentified 37-year-old woman was arrested Friday night after more than 107 pounds of methamphetamine and cocaine was allegedly discovered hidden in the vehicle she was driving, a press release stated.

After the woman was referred to secondary inspection, a canine detection team alerted to her vehicle. Further inspection revealed 90 packages of methamphetamine and two packages of cocaine worth an estimated $319,000, the press release stated.

The woman, the vehicle and the narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.

The second incident occurred at about 3 p.m. Sunday, when an unidentified 35-year-old woman was referred to secondary inspection. Further examination allegedly revealed 30 packages of methamphetamine hidden underneath the vehicle’s trunk, the press release stated.

The methamphetamine had a total weight of 32.36 pounds with an estimated street value of $80,912.

Lastly, an unidentified 50-year-old woman was arrested Sunday evening when more than 42 pounds of methamphetamine was allegedly discovered in the vehicle she was driving, Border Patrol reported.

A canine detection team had alerted to her vehicle’s gas tank during primary inspection, prompting further review with the use of a fiber optic scope, the press release stated.

Agents allegedly retrieved 28 packages that tested positive for methamphetamine, weighing 42.22 pounds with an estimated street value of $105,550, the press release stated.

The woman, a United States citizen, vehicle and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.

In fiscal year 2017, El Centro Sector has seized more than 1,345.65 pounds of methamphetamine and 482.30 pounds of cocaine.