450 pounds of meth found in fuel tanks of truck in California

Written by: Road Rage Ross. Field Reporter/Traffic Hazard

El Centro, California- In a scene that could only be described as a bizarre blend of “Breaking Bad” and “Scooby-Doo,” agents with the El Centro, California sector of the U.S. Border Patrol recently uncovered a whopping 450 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in the fuel tanks of a tractor-trailer. The street value of this liquid mischief? A cool $540,000, according to the Border Patrol.

The 31-year-old Mexican national (referred to as Mr. Sneaky Pants) behind the wheel of this rolling chemistry set was promptly arrested. On July 8, at about 2 p.m., agents stopped an orange Freightliner cruising northbound on Highway 86 near Coachella. A Border Patrol K-9 team, trained to sniff out both concealed people and illegal drugs, alerted to the presence of something fishy in the vehicle. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t just the driver’s questionable taste in air fresheners.

After the semi-truck and its driver were escorted to the Indio Border Patrol Station, agents conducted a more thorough inspection. They tested the liquid in the fuel tanks and, lo and behold, confirmed it was methamphetamine. Talk about a fuel efficiency upgrade!

El Centro Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gregory Bovino weighed in on the bust, saying, “I tend to think large shipments of methamphetamine such as this pose a risk to Americans on several levels, including increases in crime and decreases in health and safety.” He added, “Agents in the Premier Sector will continue to take the fight to smugglers of all types with one goal in mind: winning on behalf of the taxpayer.” Because nothing says “winning” like busting a truck full of meth.

The Border Patrol’s statement revealed that this seizure is part of Operation Apollo, a “holistic counter-fentanyl effort” that began on October 26, 2023, in southern California and expanded to Arizona on April 10, 2024. Operation Apollo focuses on intelligence collection and partnerships, utilizing local CBP field assets augmented by federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial partners to boost resources, increase collaboration, and target the smuggling of fentanyl into the United States.

As Mr. Sneaky Pants was being hauled off to the station, he couldn’t resist channeling his inner Scooby-Doo villain. “And I'd have gotten away with it too, if it weren’t for those meddling kids!” he exclaimed, shaking his fist at the officers, who were trying hard not to laugh.

Disclaimer: No actual meddling kids were involved in the making of this bust. Some characters are purely fictional, except for the truck driver who really should have watched more Scooby-Doo.