Man charged after Border Patrol finds 102 pounds of meth at Sarita checkpoint

A Texas resident was arrested Friday at the Sarita immigration checkpoint after Border Patrol agents discovered more than 100 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in his vehicle, according to a criminal complaint.

Salvador Ruben Rodriguez is charged with possession with the intent to distribute a controlled substance.

At about 8:57 a.m. that day, a 2016 white Ford Escape driven by the man approached the primary inspection lane.

When asked who the vehicle belonged to, Rodriguez stated in Spanish that the Ford was his in and gave agents consent to search the vehicle

In the secondary inspection area, agents noticed hand prints in the upper areas of the seals inside of the Escape as well as stains and scratches on the upper molding panels.

Agents removed the lower molding panels in the rear cargo area and found silver tape concealing non-factory cuts made to the vehicle, according to the complaint.

“When the tape was removed, agents observed what appeared to be bundles concealed within the rear quarter panels,” the complaint said.

Agents determined the bundles contained methamphetamine.

A total of 90 bundles were removed from the vehicle which weighed approximately 102 pounds.

In an interview with Drug Enforcement Administration task force officers, Rodriguez said he was aware he was transporting what he believed to be four pounds of cocaine to a person in San Angelo and was to be paid $1,800 once delivered successfully, according to the complaint.

Rodriguez is scheduled to appear before U.S. Magistrate Judge Mitchel Neurock in Corpus Christi federal court for his preliminary examination and detention hearings Tuesday morning.

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