Border Patrol seizes $676,000 in drugs over weekend

By Gustavo Solis
3:03 p.m., July 18, 2011

PINE VALLEY — U.S. Border Patrol agents foiled two drug smuggling attempts over the weekend resulting in the seizure of $676,880 worth of cocaine, crystal methamphetamine and marijuana.

The first seizure occurred about 3:20 a.m. Saturday when agents at the Interstate 8 checkpoint near Pine Valley stopped two men in a 1980 Chevrolet Camaro. The men, 36 and 25 years old, were from Mexico but legally in the United States.

With the help of a police dog, agents discovered in the Camaro nearly 41 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $409,400 and about 9 pounds of crystal methamphetamine worth an estimated $164,700. The men were taken into custody and their car was seized, agent Scott Simon said.

The second seizure occurred about 12:15 a.m. Sunday at the I-8 checkpoint when agents stopped a 36-year-old U.S. citizen driving a 1993 Toyota 4 Runner. The driver appeared to be extremely nervous, so his truck was referred for a secondary inspection.

Agents searched the vehicle and discovered metal casings in all four tires and 24 black-taped bundles of marijuana. The marijuana totaled about 171 pounds and was worth an estimated $102,780. The suspected smuggler was taken into custody and his truck was seized, Simon said.

gustavo.solis@uniontrib.com • (619) 293-1976

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