Clovis authorities recover 20 lbs of meth found in car's gas tank during traffic stop
CLOVIS, N.M. — Authorities said they recovered 20 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in a car's gas tank during a traffic stop Sunday morning.
Law enforcement in Clovis stopped a four-door Honda Accord on North Prince Street at about 10:17 a.m. Sunday, July 23, according to a news release from the Curry County Sheriff's Office. Authorities said the vehicle was driven by a David Licea, 35, of Bakersfield, California, and a 30-year-old woman from Bakersfield was a passenger in the vehicle. Officials did not name the woman.
Region 5 Drug Task Force agents began an investigation due to inconsistencies with the driver’s and passenger’s stories and various other traffic violations. A police K-9 was called to the scene and indicated the presence of narcotics.
The occupants of the vehicle gave consent for agents to search while denying the vehicle contained any illegal substances, officials said.
Agents subsequently searched the vehicle and located 20 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in the gas tank of the vehicle. The methamphetamine has a street value of approximately $270,000, according to law enforcement.
Licea was arrested on charges for possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and was booked into the Curry County Adult Detention Center. No bond had been set as of the time of this report.
This case remains under investigation by the Curry County Sheriff's Office and the Clovis Police Department.
This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Clovis police, Curry County sheriff investigate after drugs recovered
