Temecula, CA–San Diego Sector Border Patrol agents arrested a 32-year-old man Wednesday who had nearly 30 pounds of narcotics concealed inside the tires of his vehicle.
The incident occurred Wednesday at approximately 10:45 a.m. Agents patrolling Interstate 15 initiated a vehicle stop on a suspicious white Dodge Charger. After questioning the driver, a U.S. citizen, agents received permission to perform a K-9 search of the vehicle. After the K-9 positively alerted to the wheels of the car, the driver and Charger were transported to a nearby Border Patrol station for further investigation and processing.
With the help of trained mechanics, agents removed the tire from one wheel and discovered a metal compartment bolted to the wheel. After cutting open the compartment, several packages were discovered, one of which tested positive for methamphetamine. Agents then removed the remaining tires from the vehicle, where they found similar compartments with packages inside.
A total of 12 packages were discovered within the vehicle tires. Eight of those packages contained methamphetamine with a combined weight of 19.07 pounds. The four remaining packages contained heroin with a combined weight of 10.03 pounds.
The driver and narcotics were turned over to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department for further investigation. The vehicle was seized by USBP.
“These substances de-stabilize our communities by fueling addiction and ruining lives,” said Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke. “I’m proud of our agents’ continued efforts to interdict these smuggling attempts and protect our nation”