MURRIETA, Calif. — U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a woman today who had methamphetamine hidden inside her car while driving with her two children.

On Dec. 13, at around 2:50 a.m., Border Patrol agents on Interstate 15 near Murrieta, stopped a 2005 Mitsubishi Endeavor. The vehicle was operated by a 31-year-old female U.S. citizen. She was traveling with her two minor children.

A Border Patrol K-9 conducted a sniff on the vehicle which resulted in an alert. Agents conducted a further search of the vehicle and found 17 cellophane wrapped packages concealed under the passenger seat. The packages tested positive for methamphetamine.

Agents discover 17 packages of meth

concealed under the passenger seat.

The 17 packages of meth weighed 43.21 pounds. The narcotics had a street value of $82,000.

The woman was arrested and turned over to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office for further investigation. The vehicle was seized by Border Patrol. The two minor children were released to the custody of their father.

“Drug smugglers use children as a diversion,” said San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Douglas Harrison. “I am proud of our agents’ dedication. They diligently safeguard children from being used as decoys to benefit transnational criminal organizations.”

To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on corridors of egress away from our Nation’s borders. To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.