The U.S. Border Patrol is reporting that agents have nabbed a suspected drug smuggler at the 15 Freeway checkpoint near Temecula.
The incident took place July 17 around 6 p.m. when border patrol agents allegedly spotted a 38-year-old male Mexican national driving a 1997 Ford F-150.
According to a U.S. Border Patrol news release, “During inspection, agents became suspicious of the man’s nervous demeanor and referred him for a secondary inspection. A Border Patrol K-9 team performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle resulting in an alert."
Agents searched the vehicle and allegedly discovered a bag of methamphetamine inside a non-factory compartment under the manifold.
According to the news release, the methamphetamine weighed 9.92 pounds and had an estimated street value of $198,400.
The suspect and methamphetamine were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration and the truck was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol, the news release stated.
