Duplin task force seizes $1 million in meth

Duplin County authorities say they seized 17 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in horse saddles in a man’s car.

A task force, which includes Duplin County deputies, Beulaville police and State Bureau of Investigation, recently received a tip that a man was transporting drugs, Beulaville Police Chief Joey Carter said.

On May 18, authorities stopped Jose Arturo Almendarez Carcamo’s vehicle in Rose Hill. In the vehicle, authorities found three horse saddles with meth stuffed inside, Carter said.

Further investigation of the vehicle on May 21 yielded 11 additional saddles filled with meth.

Carter said the street value of the meth seized was $1 million.

Carcamo was arrested. The investigation is ongoing and more arrests are expected.