Agents Find Meth Haul in Spare Tire on 5 Freeway

By MIRNA ALFONSO (Patch Staff)

Photos courtesy of U.S. Border Patrol

San Diego Sector Border Patrol agents intercepted a man on Friday who allegedly had bundles of crystal methamphetamine stashed inside the spare tire of his car.

At about 10 p.m., agents spotted a man driving north on Interstate 5 and attempted a vehicle stop at the San Clemente Station checkpoint. The driver of the 2006 Jeep Commander failed to yield and led Border Patrol agents on a chase, an agent reported.

Agents followed the vehicle until it came to a stop at a local restaurant. The man ran off but was caught.

A U.S. Border Patrol dog check the Jeep, which resulted in a positive alert for drugs, Agent Mary Beth Caston said.

Agents searched the vehicle and allegedly found 18 bundles of crystal methamphetamine stuffed inside the spare tire, Caston reported.

The methamphetamine weighed 43.45 pounds with an estimated street value of $434,500, said Caston.

Records checks revealed that the male driver is a Mexican national with an extensive criminal and undocumented immigration history. Agents turned the man and drugs over to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The vehicle was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.

Last fiscal year, San Diego Sector intercepted 1,797 pounds of methamphetamine.

To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.