Border Patrol Foils Meth Smuggling Attempt

Border Patrol agents foiled a smuggling attempt and confiscated 39 pounds of methamphetamine, an official announced today.

A 23-year-old U.S. citizen drove a blue 1996 Subaru Outback through the Temecula checkpoint at 10:20 a.m. on Tuesday, according to Agent Michael Jimenez.

The driver's behavior tipped an inspector off, he said. "During inspection, agents became suspicious of the man’s nervous demeanor and referred him for a secondary inspection."

Agents brought out a drug-sniffing dog, which signaled there were drugs inside the vehicle. Agents searched the vehicle and found 16 bundles of meth under two non-factory compartments under the driver and passenger seats, Jimenez said in a news announcement.

The meth was worth about $780,400 on the street, he said.

The suspect and drugs were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the vehicle was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol, Jimenez said.