Indio, Calif.- El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested a 39-year-old male for attempting to smuggle liquid methamphetamine on Saturday evening. 

On January 13, 2024, at approximately 4:45 p.m., A Border Patrol K-9 unit working at the Highway 86 Immigration checkpoint alerted to the driver side wheel well of a truck. The agent referred the truck to secondary for further investigation. In secondary agents checked the gas tank and noticed anomalies in the liquid inside the gas tank. The liquid was tested and was positive for the characteristics of methamphetamine.

A total of 166.8 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of 250k was removed from the gas tank by a hazmat team.

The driver, a Mexican citizen was placed under arrest for the transportation of a controlled substance, and along with the vehicle and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further prosecution.

Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. For all El Centro Sector news, follow them on   @CBPElCentro and @USBPChiefELC, and on Instagram @USBPChiefELC

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the comprehensive management, control, and protection of our nation’s borders, combining customs, immigration, border security, and agricultural protection at and between official ports of entry.