Christmas meth smuggling attempt foiled by Border Patrol canine

YUMA, Ariz. – An attempt to smuggle 25 pounds of methamphetamine through the Border Patrol checkpoint on Highway 78 near Blythe, California, on Christmas Day was foiled by a canine who wasn’t taking the holiday off.

Border Patrol agents assigned to the Blythe Station encountered a Cadillac sedan as it traveled through the checkpoint at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Friday. Agents referred the vehicle to the secondary inspection area following a canine alert.

During a search of the vehicle, agents discovered 10 vacuum-sealed packages that contained a total of 25 pounds of methamphetamine, worth approximately $62,000. Agents also found a 9mm handgun that contained a loaded 15-round magazine, about 50 grams of marijuana and several pieces of drug paraphernalia.

Agents arrested the vehicle occupants, three U.S. citizens from Oklahoma, and seized the drugs, firearm, paraphernalia and vehicle.

Smugglers often move illegal contraband on holidays, with the hope and expectation that law enforcement will have their guard down. Agents and their canine partners, however, work around the clock to secure our borders and to prevent contraband from making it further into the interior of our country.