Border Patrol Finds Nearly $1 Million in Meth Hidden in Semi-Truck Fuel Tank on I-15

U.S. Border Patrol agents recovered 962 pounds of liquid methamphetamine, approximately 115 gallons, from a semi-truck's fuel tank during a traffic stop on Interstate 15 near Murrieta, California.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the incident happened September 29, 2026, at approximately 11 a.m. Agents stopped a northbound semi-truck traveling without a trailer near the California Highway Patrol scales. A Border Patrol K-9 helped identify suspicious liquid inside one of the truck's fuel tanks.

The truck and driver were taken to the Newton-Azrak Border Patrol Station for further inspection. Hazardous response specialists extracted the liquid, which tested positive for methamphetamine. CBP estimated its street value at nearly $1 million.

The truck was seized, and the driver was transferred to Homeland Security Investigations and local authorities for further processing and prosecution.

What This Means for CDL Drivers

This case shows that illegal cargo can be concealed inside a truck's fuel system, not just in its trailer. Drivers should be cautious when accepting unfamiliar equipment and report suspicious modifications or signs of tampering before operating a vehicle.

CBP has not announced any new trucking requirements related to this seizure.