Last modified Thursday, July 3, 2008 7:40 PM PDT

TEMECULA: Border patrol seizes drugs in two recent stops

By The Californian

TEMECULA ---- Border patrol agents confiscated 345 pounds of marijuana in two stops this week in areas near the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint, authorities said Thursday.

Agents seized 265 pounds of pot Wednesday after stopping a Toyota Camry on Rainbow Canyon Boulevard about 2 p.m., according to a news release from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

In that case, an agent suspected the 22-year-old driver was trying to circumvent the checkpoint by exiting Interstate 15 at Rainbow Valley Boulevard, the release states.

The driver was in the country illegally and gave the agent permission to search the trunk after the agent noticed a strong odor inside the car, Board Patrol officials stated.

At 2 p.m. Tuesday, agents found 80 pounds of marijuana in the trunk of a Volkswagen Jetta on northbound Interstate 15 after an agent stopped the car and noticed a strong smell.

That car was occupied by a 33-year-old man, his wife and child, all of whom were Mexican citizens traveling in the country legally, the release states.

www.nctimes.com