NEW YORK (FOX5NY) - A Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) recipient was arrested in California near the Mexico border this week on charges of trying to smuggle more than $34,000 worth of meth into the U.S.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said the 22-year-old man, who is originally from Mexico, approached the El Centro Sector checkpoint on Highway 86 at approximately 11:20 a.m. on Tuesday in a gray Kia Optima.
Agents called for a secondary inspection of his vehicle, during which a canine team alerted to something suspicious in the trunk, investigators said.
Agents discovered 14 vacuum-sealed packages concealed inside of the vehicle’s trunk. The packages tested positive for the characteristics of methamphetamine. The combined weight of the packages totaled 17 pounds.
"Every drug seizure our agents make is an important step forward to secure our streets from dangerous narcotics and dangerous people," said Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez. "I commend our agents for the hard work and dedication in keeping our communities safe."
The man, originally from Mexico, was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration along with the vehicle and narcotics for further investigation. His name was not released.