GORMAN : Agents Seize 2 Men, Chemicals in Truck

U.S. Border Patrol agents took two men into custody and seized a truck carrying chemicals used in manufacturing methamphetamine drugs during a routine immigration stop Wednesday on the Golden State Freeway in Gorman.

The unidentified men were stopped as they drove north on the freeway near Peaceful Valley Road about noon, Border Patrol Agent Gary Gagner said. The men appeared to be illegal immigrants, he said.

Discovered in the back of the pickup truck was 30 pounds of ephedrine and 80 pounds of red phosphorus, both chemicals used to process methamphetamines, said Angel Montoya, a county fire inspector. A 55-gallon drum of an unknown liquid was also discovered, he said.

The case was turned over to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency, Gagner said.