August 31, 2007 Blythe, California
U.S. Customs/Border Patrol seize a pound of month on a body carrier

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol agents conducting traffic inspection duties at a checkpoint on California State Route 78 about 50 miles south of Blythe, Calif., seized a pound of methamphetamines during a smuggling attempt Thursday.

About 6 p.m., a male U.S. citizen approached the checkpoint manned by agents from the Yuma Sector's Blythe Border Patrol station. During questioning, agents' suspicion was aroused and the man was referred for additional inspection. Agents requested the man exit his vehicle and for safety concerns performed a pat-down search for concealed weapons. A search of the individual revealed four bundles of methamphetamines taped the man's leg.

The man was taken into custody by agents. Drug Enforcement Administration officials responded and took custody of the man, his vehicle and the drugs, worth an estimated $24,000.

The seizure marks the fifth at Yuma Sector Border Patrol checkpoints in the last eight days in which about 160 pounds of various narcotics, including marijuana and prescription pills, were seized worth more than $150,000.

"The agents at our checkpoints are doing a phenomenal job," said Yuma Sector's Chief Patrol Agent Paul Beeson. "Our national strategy includes preventing smugglers of contraband, such as illegal narcotics, from gaining access to the interior of our nation, and our checkpoints provide a critical second tier of defense to ensure we achieve our mission."

Source: US Customs