Salton City, California - El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Indio Station assigned to the Highway 86 and Highway 111 checkpoint, stopped three methamphetamine smuggling attempts over the weekend.

The first incident occurred on Friday, at approximately 11:25 p.m., after a 19-year-old man approached the Highway 86 checkpoint driving a 2003 Nissan Sentra.

A Border Patrol detection canine alerted to the vehicle at the primary inspection area.  Agents referred the man to secondary inspection area for a closer examination.  Agents discovered 14 bundles of methamphetamine concealed in the rear quarter panels and bumper of the vehicle.

The second incident occurred on Saturday, at approximately 11 a.m., after a 32-year-old man approached the checkpoint driving a Hyundai Elantra.

Border Patrol agents referred the driver to the secondary inspection area for a closer examination.  The man consented to a canine search of his vehicle, which resulted in a canine alert.  Agents found 11 bundles of methamphetamine in the gas tank of the vehicle.

The third incident occurred on Sunday, at approximately 9:20 p.m., after a 24-year-old man approached the Highway 111 checkpoint driving a 2014 Chevy Cruze.

A Border Patrol detection canine alerted to the vehicle at the primary inspection area.  Agents referred the man to secondary inspection area for a closer examination.  Agents discovered 12 bundles of methamphetamine concealed inside a duffle bag in the trunk of the vehicle.

The methamphetamine from these three seizures had a combined weight of 45.05 pounds with an estimated street value of $450,500.

The men, all United States citizens, the vehicles, and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.