Woman Arrested for Allegedly Smuggling Nearly 120 Pounds of Meth

A 42 year old Mexican citizen was in custody today after being arrested by El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents for allegedly smuggling nearly 120 pounds of methamphetamine into the United States. The woman, driving a black compact sedan, was stopped shortly afternoon Tuesday at an immigration checkpoint on Highway 86. A K-9 unit alerted agents to the possible presence of concealed people or drugs, authorities said in a statement. Agents found 120 packages of a ``crystal-like substance wrapped in cellophane and hidden in a vehicle compartment.'' The substance tested positive for methamphetamine, and the drugs had an estimated street value of $105,000, border patrol officials said. The woman, who lived in Bakersfield, admitted to law enforcement that she was in the country without legal documentation. The vehicle and the 119.5 pounds of drugs were seized, and the woman was arrested. Authorities did not release the woman's name.