November 23, 2013
SALTON CITY — U.S. Border Patrol agents seized more than seven pounds of methamphetamine found hidden in a tow dolly at the Highway 86 checkpoint on Thursday, according to a press release.
El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Indio Highway 86 checkpoint seized 7.35 pounds of meth strung together with fishing line inside a tow dolly axle
Around 9 a.m., Mexican citizen Rafael Garcia-Gonzalez, 46, approached the checkpoint driving a white 2001 Ford F-150 pick-up truck towing a tow dolly, according to the court complaint.
A Border Patrol canine detection team alerted to the vehicle and the driver was referred to secondary inspection. Agents then found a dozen packages of methamphetamine strung together with fishing line hidden inside the axle of the tow dolly.
The methamphetamine has an estimated street value of $235,000.
Garcia-Gonzalez was read his rights and stated that an unknown person gave him the vehicle and trailer in Mexicali and told him to cross the vehicle, according to the court complaint. He was to be paid 2,000 pesos.
He was booked into Imperial County jail on suspicion of possession of a controlled substance with intent to distribute.
