Tecate CBP Officers Find 122 Lbs. of Meth in Metal Casing in Vehicle Tires

SAN DIEGO – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Tecate port of entry discovered 122 pounds of methamphetamine hidden within metal casings in the tires of an SUV.

“This interdiction prevented a large amount of methamphetamine from reaching our communities and endangering many lives,” said CBP Tecate Port Director, Rene Ortega. “I am very proud of our officers, their unwavering diligence in protecting the homeland is exemplary.”

On Monday, Feb. 4, at about 11 p.m., a 59-year-old female U.S. citizen driving a 2003 Mitsubishi Montero was referred for a more in-depth investigation.  During the inspection, a canine team screened the vehicle and the detector dog alerted to the rear area of the vehicle.

CBP officers utilized a density meter and scanned the vehicle through the port’s imaging system which revealed anomalies within all four tires.  The tires were removed and officers discovered a metal casing on each wheel hiding packages within.

Officers field-tested the substance, which produced a positive indication for the properties of methamphetamine.  A total of 24 packages of methamphetamine were extracted, and the seized narcotics have a street value of more than $323,000.

CBP officers arrested the driver, a resident of La Puente, CA, and turned her over to agents with Homeland Security Investigations. The subject was subsequently transported to Las Colinas Detention Center for further processing.

CBP officers seized the vehicle and methamphetamine.