C.B.P. News Release

U.S. Border Patrol Agents Seize $1.4 Million In Narcotics at Interstate 5 Checkpoint

(Wednesday, November 09, 2011)

San Diego — U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the I-5 Border Patrol checkpoint foiled two drug smuggling attempts on November 5 and November 6, that resulted in the seizure of $1,436,450 of heroin and methamphetamine.

U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the I-5 Border Patrol checkpoint foiled a drug smuggling attempt finding methamphetamine stored inside ten trash bags inside the trunk of a Honda Civic. The drugs were worth over $900,000.

The first event occurred on November 5, when agents assigned to the I-5 checkpoint discovered several bundles of heroin onboard a commercial passenger bus. Agents noticed a suspicious duffle bag inside the cargo area and requested the assistance of a Border Patrol canine team. The canine team performed a cursory inspection resulting in a positive alert to the duffle bag. Agents questioned the occupants and identified a 17-year-old male United States citizen as the owner of the bag. Agents searched the bag and found eight bundles of heroin with a total weight of 38.25 pounds and an estimated street value of $497,250.

The second narcotics smuggling attempt occurred on November 6, when a 24-year-old female U.S. citizen driver and her 26-year-old male Mexican national passenger arrived at the I-5 checkpoint in a silver 1998 Honda Civic. Agents became suspicious of their nervous demeanor and referred them for a secondary inspection. Upon questioning both subjects, the passenger admitted to being illegally present in the country. A subsequent searched of the vehicle revealed 10 black plastic bags of methamphetamine hidden underneath the spare tire compartment inside the trunk. The total weight of the methamphetamine was 46.96 pounds and had an estimated street value of $939,200.

In both events, the suspected smugglers and narcotics were taken into custody and subsequently turned over to a multi-agency drug taskforce. The Honda Accord was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.

To prevent illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on major corridors of egress away from our nation’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
San Diego Sector
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (619) 216-4182 or

CBP Headquarters
Office of Public Affairs
1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W.
Room 3.4A
Washington, DC 20229 Phone: (202) 344-1780 or
(800) 826-1471
Fax: (202) 344-1393

Department of Homeland Security

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