Meth bust at Pine Valley checkpoint

U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested four peo­ple last weekend during two separate incidents.

In both events the vehicles were carrying hidden methamphetamine with a total weight of more than 128 pounds.

The first incident occurred on Friday, July 10, at approximately 1 p.m., when two people in a 1999 black Toyota 4Runner arrived at the Interstate 8 checkpoint in Pine Valley. Agents questioned the male driver, then performed an exterior search of the vehicle with a Border Patrol K-9 team.

When the K-9 alerted to the SUV, agents searched further. Checking the vehicle’s un­dercarriage, they discovered 85 baggies packed inside the spare tire. The baggies were filled with a crystal-like substance, which tested positive for methamphetamine. The narcotics weighed 86.41 pounds.

The driver, a 22-year-old U.S. citizen, and his 24-year-old female passenger were arrested and the narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The second incident took place on Sunday, July 12, at approximately 2 p.m., when a male driver and his male passenger arrived at the I-8 checkpoint. After a brief conversation, agents referred the 19-year-old driver to sec­ondary inspection for further questioning. Once in secondary, a K-9 alerted to his 2016 black Chevrolet Malibu. Searching the car, agents found 40 plastic-wrapped packages in­side the gas tank.

All 40 packages tested positive for meth­amphetamine. The meth packages weighed 41.71 pounds. Both men are being charged with possession with the intent to distribute a con­trolled substance. The narcotics were turned over to the DEA. The U.S. Border Patrol seized the vehicles in both instances.

Chief Patrol Agent Aaron M. Heitke said, “Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Bor­der Patrol remains committed to enforcing Federal law and keeping these dangerous drugs off the street.”

Since Oct. 1, 2019, San Diego Sector Border Pa­trol agents have seized 2,625 pounds of metham­phetamine.

To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contra­band, the U.S. Border Pa­trol maintains a high level of vigilance on corridors of egress away from our Nation’s borders. To re­port suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.