Salton City, California - El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint arrested a man and a woman suspected of smuggling methamphetamine on Sunday afternoon.

The incident occurred at approximately 12 p.m. after a 23-year-old woman approached the checkpoint in a 2002 navy blue Chrysler PT.

During primary inspection, a Border Patrol canine team alerted to the vehicle.  Agents then referred the vehicle to secondary inspection for further examination.

At secondary inspection, the canine team alerted to the cabin of the vehicle.  Agents investigated further and discovered several sealed packages concealed in hidden compartments in both the driver and passenger side floorboards.  The packages were examined and tested positive for the characteristics of methamphetamine.

The combined weight of the packages totaled 40.34 pounds, with an estimated street value of $133,122.

The woman, a U.S. citizen, was turned over by agents to the Drug Enforcement Administration along with the vehicle and narcotics for further investigation.

In fiscal year 2018, El Centro Sector agents have seized more than 798.14 pounds of methamphetamine.

“Yet another incident in which our agents display continued vigilance against criminal organizations trying to bring illegal narcotics in the country,” said Assistant Chief Patrol Agent David S. Kim.