MURRIETA, Calif. — U.S. Border Patrol agents in Southern California seized more than 760 pounds of liquid methamphetamine Tuesday evening, hidden inside the fuel tanks of a semi-truck — the San Diego Sector’s largest methamphetamine bust in two years.
According to a statement from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, agents from the Newton-Azrak Border Patrol Station stopped the tractor-trailer around 6:40 p.m. on April 8 while it was traveling northbound on Interstate 215 in Murrieta. A K-9 unit was called to the scene and alerted agents to the possible presence of narcotics.
Upon further inspection, agents discovered suspicious compartments in the truck’s diesel tanks. The driver, vehicle and suspected narcotics were transported to the station for further investigation. There, agents found that the tanks contained liquid methamphetamine stored in aftermarket compartments.
Hazardous materials personnel and Homeland Security Investigations agents assisted in extracting the narcotics, ultimately recovering 22 five-gallon buckets of liquid methamphetamine, weighing a total of 761 pounds. Officials estimate the street value at approximately $684,900.
The driver, who was not identified, was turned over to HSI and faces federal prosecution for possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. The semi-truck was seized by authorities.
“Foreign terrorist organizations will use every trick in the book to get their drugs into the country,” Acting Chief Patrol Agent Jeffrey D. Stalnaker said in the release. “The agents of San Diego Sector are the best in the business and will continue to target, interdict and dismantle these organizations.”
Prior to Tuesday’s seizure, San Diego Sector agents had confiscated 347 pounds of methamphetamine during fiscal year 2025, along with 1,415 pounds of cocaine, 177 pounds of fentanyl and 19 pounds of heroin, according to the agency.
