El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents at the Highway 86 checkpoint arrested a man and a woman over the weekend, in two separate events for smuggling drugs.

The first incident occurred Friday Oct. 13 at around 12:45 a.m., when a 36-year-old man driving a grey 2000 Toyota Land Cruiser approached the checkpoint. A Border Patrol canine alerted agents to the vehicle.

At secondary inspection, Border Patrol agents closely examined the vehicle and discovered 48 packages inside a spare tire mounted under the vehicle.

Agents examined the contents of the packages, which tested positive for methamphetamine.

The total weight of the methamphetamine was 55.29 pounds with an estimated street value of $193,515.

Border Patrol agents identified the man as a United States Citizen. Agents turned the him over to the Drug Enforcement Administration, along with the vehicle and narcotics for further investigation.

The second incident occurred Friday Oct. 13 at around 7:00 p.m., when a 21-year-old woman approached the same checkpoint in a 2011 grey Jeep Patriot. A Border Patrol canine alerted agents to the vehicle, and was referred to a secondary inspection for further examination.

Agents questioned the woman on her citizenship, and asked for consent to search her vehicle. After examination of the vehicle, Border Patrol agents discovered two small packages of methamphetamine.

One package was found inside of a purse, while the other was inside a make-up bag.

The total weight of the methamphetamine was 2.05 pounds with an estimated street value of $7,175

Border Patrol agents identified the woman as a United States Citizen. Agents turned the woman over to the Drug Enforcement Administration, along with the vehicle and narcotics for further investigation.