Border Patrol Discovers $1.4 Million Meth Load in Altered Work Truck

TUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a U.S citizen after finding methamphetamine in a highly modified work truck at the immigration checkpoint near Sasabe, Arizona, Thursday afternoon.

Around 2 p.m., Tucson Sector agents at the Highway 286 immigration checkpoint encountered a 26-year-old Hereford, Arizona, man driving a Ford F-250 utility truck. After referring the vehicle to secondary inspection, they found several packages of suspected narcotics in a compartment hidden beneath the utility portion of the truck. A Border Patrol canine alerted to potential additional narcotics within the truck’s frame.

Due to the isolated nature of the tactical checkpoint and the complexity of the compartment, agents towed the vehicle to the Sasabe Port of Entry in order to safely inspect its highly modified areas as well as the packages of suspected drugs.  In cooperation with the Office of Field Operations, Customs and Border Protection officers and Border Patrol agents discovered more than 600 pounds of meth. The drugs have an approximate street value of $1.4 million.

The truck, meth and driver were turned over to Special Agents from Homeland Security Investigations.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials welcome assistance from the community. Individuals can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. Reporting illicit activity could result in saving someone’s life.

For more details regarding this media release or to schedule a remote interview via the LiveU system, please contact the Tucson Border Patrol Sector Public Affairs Office at tca-pao@cbp.dhs.gov or at 520-387-3210.