C.B.P. News Release

Border Patrol Seizes $1/2 Million in Cocaine in California

(Thursday, September 24, 2009)

Boulevard, Calif. — U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a 28-year-old man and a 31-year-old woman for allegedly smuggling more than 50 pounds of cocaine Tuesday night on Interstate 8 in Boulevard, Calif.

At about 8:45 p.m., agents on patrol spotted a Ford Explorer while it was stopped on the shoulder of the interstate in Jacumba. As agent went to investigate the driver of the SUV pulled back on to the roadway and attempted to depart the area. Agents conducted a traffic stopped of the vehicle near the Ribbonwood Road exit and encountered the two occupants.

Border Patrol agents in Southern California, aided by drug detector dogs, were able to seize more than $1/2 million worth of cocaine hidden in the back of this SUV.

A Border Patrol K-9 unit arrived to the scene of the traffic stop and a conducted a search. The K-9 unit alerted near the rear of the vehicle and a subsequent search by agents revealed a modified compartment in the vehicle’s cargo area. The compartment contained 20 bundles of cocaine that weighted over 54 pounds with an estimated street value of $542,300.

The contraband and two suspects were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

The U.S. Border Patrol deploys coordinated enforcement operations and interior checkpoints as part of a defense-in-depth enforcement approach. Since October 1, 2008, U.S. Border Patrol agents have seized over 1,700 pounds of cocaine in San Diego Sector.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Contacts For This News Release
San Diego Sector
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (619) 216-4182 Ext: 114 or
(619) 652-9966 Ext: 192 (Spanish)

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