Border Patrol Finds Meth Stash As Woman Drives Through Temecula

TEMECULA, CA — A 31-year-old woman was arrested recently for hauling dozens of packages of methamphetamine through the Temecula Valley, U.S. Border Patrol officials announced Wednesday. The woman was allegedly found with 51 bundles of the narcotics — which is worth an estimated $206,000.

Border Patrol officials said the woman was driving on Interstate 15 near Murrieta and Temecula when she was stopped last week.

A total of 40 bundles of meth were found at first, and she was arrested and turned over to Riverside County law enforcement to face possible narcotic smuggling charges, according to Mary Beth Caston of the USBP.

"The woman’s vehicle was seized and transported to a secure facility," Caston said. "The vehicle underwent a routine secondary search to ensure there was no additional contraband inside the vehicle."

During that secondary search — which was aided by a recently assigned National Guardsman — more drugs were indeed found, Caston said.

"During the search of the vehicle, a National Guardsman located 11 additional bundles of suspected contraband that was deeply concealed within the door panels of the vehicle," Caston said. "Border Patrol agents took custody of the bundles, it was field tested and was positively validated as methamphetamine."

In total, 68 pounds of meth were found, she said.

“Although the California National Guardsmen have been on duty for only a couple of weeks, they have quickly fit in and are a great asset in assisting the Border Patrol to protect our communities,” stated San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Rodney S. Scott.

The National Guardsman don't do typical immigration tasks and don't carry weapons, officials said.

— Images credit: U.S. Border Patrol