C.B.P. News Release

Border Patrol Intercepts $800K in Cocaine Stashed in Secret Compartment

(Monday, March 23, 2009)

Jacumba, Calif. — On Saturday night, a Border Patrol agent’s good deed led to the discovery of more than 81 pounds of cocaine stashed inside a SUV, which was stranded on Interstate 8 in Jacumba.

At about 9:30 p.m., an agent, who was traveling with his K9 partner, spotted a disabled Nissan Xterra on the shoulder of the westbound lanes of the interstate, near the exit to In-Ko-Pah Road. When the agent stopped to render assistance, he observed that the driver was displaying nervous behavior, arousing the agent’s suspicion.

The agent’s K9 partner then conducted a search of the stranded vehicle. An alert by the K9 prompted the agent to conduct a further search the vehicle and discover a hidden compartment on the undercarriage of the SUV. The compartment contained 28 bundles of cocaine. The total weight of the cocaine was 81.07 pounds and has an estimated street value of more than $800,000.

The illicit narcotics and the suspected smuggler, a 62-year-old male Mexican national, were turned over to a multi-agency, anti-drug task force.

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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