FBI investigates possible drugs in vehicle involved in fatal ICE incident

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has obtained a search warrant for a van linked to a deadly shooting involving a US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent after investigators reported seeing suspected illegal drugs inside the vehicle.

According to court documents filed on 14 July, the FBI said officers observed “white crystal-like substance packaged in small plastic bags” in plain view inside the van.

The warrant states that investigators believe “searches of the target vehicle will yield evidence of the crimes committed and violations of drug offenses.”

According to the FBI Department of Homeland Security officials said ICE agents initially attempted to to stop the vehicle, but the driver allegedly refused to pull over and drove across a central reservation in an apparent attempt to escape.

The warrant states: “Pursuant to ICE policy, the officers did not pursue the vehicle. The officers relocated the vehicle in the 6800 block of Canal Street.”

The FBI said a special agent later inspected the vehicle and found several plastic bags containing a substance consistent in appearance and packaging with methamphetamine. The suspected drugs were reportedly visible on the dashboard and passenger-side floor.

The investigation into the fatal shooting remains ongoing, and authorities have not announced any charges relating to the suspected narcotics.