CBP News Release

Border Patrol Seizes $34K During Traffic Stop

(Wednesday, November 12, 2008)

Murrieta, Calif. - Border Patrol agents seized a large sum of money suspected to be connected to narcotics sales on Monday afternoon during a routine traffic stop on northbound Interstate 15 near Murrieta.

After stopping a Toyota Previa minivan at about 2:30 p.m., agents discovered the driver, a 39-year-old male Mexican national, was illegally present within the country. A California Highway Patrol officer, who was assisting the agents, conducted a search of the vehicle with an agency K-9. The search yielded an odor of narcotics in the glove compartment of the minivan. Agents searched the glove compartment and discovered a plastic grocery bag containing $34,000. According to the agents, the money emitted a strong odor of marijuana.

Agents seized the money and the minivan. The driver was processed for deportation.

Coordinated enforcement operations are a critical part of the Border Patrol’s multi-layered enforcement strategy to secure our country’s borders.

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
Public Information Office
San Diego Sector
Phone: (619) 216-4182 Ext: 114 or
(619) 652-9966 Ext: 192 (Spanish)

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 2008_3.xml