Border Patrol gets two big meth busts at freeway checkpoints

Confiscate 51 pounds from a spare tire on I-8; more than 60 bundles from a Mercedes SUV on I-19

Contributed Article Courtesy U.S. Customs and Border Protection

JAMUL, CALIF. – The U.S. Border Patrol recently made two significant methamphetamine seizures at checkpoints on Interstate 8 in California and Interstate 19 in Arizona. 

On April 18, U.S. Border Patrol agents from the San Diego Sector stopped a narcotics smuggling attempt in its tracks, intercepting a large quantity of methamphetamine concealed in a vehicle’s spare tire.

At approximately 10:30 p.m., agents assigned to the Brown Field Station encountered a red Toyota pickup truck at the California State Route 94 checkpoint east of San Diego. A K-9 unit in the primary inspection area alerted agents to concealed people or narcotics, and the driver was directed to secondary inspection.

The agents’ initial visual search of the vehicle yielded negative results. They then conducted a mobile X-ray scan of the vehicle, which revealed anomalies in the spare tire area underneath the vehicle. After removing the spare tire, agents used a handheld X-ray scanner to confirm anomalies within the spare tire itself.

Agents inspected the tire and removed a total of 48 packages of what later tested positive for methamphetamine. The haul contained 51 pounds of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of $175,000.

“Our Border Patrol agents use every tool at their disposal to keep these dangerous narcotics from reaching our streets,” said Acting Chief Patrol Agent of the San Diego Sector Jeffrey D. Stalnaker. “This sector is one of the nation’s busiest corridors for drug traffickers, and every action we take is focused on protecting America.”

The driver was placed under arrest and charged with possession of a controlled substance for sale. The Drug Enforcement Administration is handling the case.

Before this interdiction, the San Diego Sector had seized 826 pounds of methamphetamine in fiscal year 2025, along with 1,716 pounds of cocaine, 202 pounds of fentanyl, and 56 pounds of heroin.

Border agents seize large meth load concealed in Mercedes

AMADO – U.S. Border Patrol agents, including a canine team, discovered dozens of methamphetamine bundles hidden inside a Mercedes-Benz SUV on Tuesday evening.

On April 22, agents from the Nogales Station encountered the vehicle at the Interstate 19 Immigration Checkpoint near Amado around 7:30 p.m. A canine team alerted to the SUV as it entered the primary inspection lane, causing agents to refer it to a secondary inspection.

During that inspection, agents found more than 60 cellophane-wrapped bundles of meth hidden throughout the vehicle.

“Smugglers should take note – If you try to smuggle drugs through our checkpoints, you will be caught, and you will face federal prosecution,” said Tucson Sector Chief Patrol Agent Sean L. McGoffin. “Our agents and canine teams are highly trained, vigilant, and unwavering in their mission to protect our communities from these dangerous substances.”

The male driver and female passenger–both local area residents–were arrested. The meth and the Mercedes were seized and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration, who will be handling the criminal case.