Border agents boost southbound scrutiny
Vehicles headed to Mexico inspected
By Leslie Berestein and Sandra Dibble
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITERS

May 9, 2008

Southbound lanes of Interstate 5 were snarled for several hours yesterday at the San Ysidro port of entry as federal agents inspected vehicles headed into Mexico.

The inspections are being carried out by U.S. Customs and Border Protection in conjunction with other federal agencies, as well as local agencies.

Border Patrol agents were on hand yesterday with vans to hold detained individuals.

“They are looking for stolen cars, any kind of arms or weapons or contraband that is heading south, as well as foot guides, coyotes that smuggle people across, as well as smugglers that have large amounts of cash on them,â€