Homicide detectives Tuesday investigated the death of a 16-year-old boy who apparently drank a lethal amount of methamphetamine-laced liquid while attempting to cross into the country at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.
The boy was alone and used a pedestrian entrance to come into the United States from Mexico about 6:40 p.m. Monday, according to San Diego police Lt. Mike Hastings.
He was carrying two small containers that held an amber-colored liquid, and told Customs and Border Patrol agents that the liquid was juice, Hastings said in a statement.
"Agents became suspicious and inquired further about the contents of the containers," he said.
While at a secondary inspection area, the boy allegedly drank some of the liquid.
"A CBP narcotics trained canine alerted to the male and he was handcuffed and taken to a nearby security office," Hastings said. "The male began to feel sick and told CBP officers the liquid in the containers was a 'chemical.'"
Paramedics were called and took the boy to a local hospital, where he died a short time later.
A preliminary test showed the liquid was positive for methamphetamine, according to Hastings.
The boy's name was withheld pending notification of his next of kin.
