Agents find 50 lbs of meth in spare tire in Southern California: DOJ

Border agents in Southern California seized more than 50 pounds of methamphetamine Sunday afternoon in an alleged drug smuggling attempt, according to a press release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Agents uncovered 52.36 pounds of methamphetamine that was allegedly concealed within the spare tire of a side-by-side utility terrain vehicle, officials said.

At around noon on Sunday, agents reportedly saw a person climbing over the border wall near Boulevard, a rural high desert area along the Mexican border in southeastern San Diego County. According to the report, the person then got into a UTV and traveled north on Jewel Valley Road when agents conducted a vehicle stop.

The driver of the UTV was identified as a U.S. citizen, while the passenger was identified as a Mexican national with a valid visa, according to authorities.

A K-9 unit searched the outside of the UTV and reportedly detected the presence of narcotics. When agents searched the UTV’s spare tire, they allegedly found 51 wrapped bundles, which were later confirmed to be methamphetamine.

The Drug Enforcement Administration took the two individuals into custody and seized the narcotics and UTV.

Earlier this month, a teenager was arrested while allegedly trying to bring 27 pounds of meth into the U.S. near San Ysidro.