U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Yuma, Ariz., sector seized approximately 22 pounds of black tar heroin from inside a truck engine on Sunday, according to the agency.
Agents also arrested a suspected smuggler during the bust.
Border Patrol agents at the Wellton station checkpoint on Interstate 8 referred a suspicious vehicle to secondary inspection following a cursory inspection by a K-9 team.
The vehicle, a green Chevrolet Silverado Extended Cab, was occupied by a male Mexican national, who was arrested. Further investigation revealed several packages of black tar heroin inside the engine's manifold.
The heroin carries an estimated street value of $1.79 million. Agents turned it over to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), along with the vehicle and driver.