Agents Make Multiple Illicit Drug Seizures throughout San Diego County

Agents Take More Than $930,000 of Cocaine, Marijuana, and Meth off Streets

(Monday, January 23, 2012)

San Diego — U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to San Diego area checkpoints and highways have seized a total of $931,173 of cocaine, marijuana, and methamphetamine in the last week.

On Saturday, agents assigned to the Interstate 8 checkpoint near Pine Valley arrested a 26-year-old male United States citizen for attempting to smuggle 61.91 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $619,058. Agents encountered the man as he arrived at the checkpoint driving a gold 2000 BMW X5. Agents became suspicious of the man’s nervous demeanor and referred him for a secondary inspection. A Border Patrol K-9 team performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle which resulted in a positive alert to the driver’s side floorboard. Agents searched the vehicle and discovered 25 cellophane-wrapped brick-shaped bundles in natural voids beneath the driver’s and front passenger’s seats. The suspected smuggler and cocaine were taken into custody and subsequently turned over to a multi-agency drug task force.

On Thursday at approximately 8 a.m., Border Patrol agents assigned to patrol duties along Interstate 15 stopped a 29-year-old male Mexican national driving a white 2000 Ford F-150 pickup truck. A Border Patrol K-9 team performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle which resulted in a positive alert. Agents searched and subsequently discovered a non-factory compartment beneath the bed of the truck in which 30 bundles of marijuana were concealed. The drugs weighed a total of 313.83 pounds and had an estimated street value of $156,915. Agents arrested the suspected smuggler and booked him into county jail.

On Wednesday, agents on patrol along Interstate 15 stopped the driver of a gray 2001 Volkswagen Jetta. A Border Patrol K-9 team alerted to the 20-year-old male Mexican national, and agents discovered two packages of methamphetamine cellophane-wrapped to his abdomen weighing 1.76 pounds worth $35,200. Agents took custody of the suspected smuggler and drugs, and subsequently turned them over to a multi-agency drug task force.

On Tuesday, agents on patrol along Interstate 5 encountered the driver of a white 1995 Toyota Corolla. A Border Patrol K-9 team performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle and positively alerted to two backpacks located inside. Agents searched the backpacks and discovered eight packages of methamphetamine with a total weight of six pounds worth an estimated $120,000. Agents took custody of the suspected smuggler and drugs, and subsequently turned them over to a multi-agency drug task force.

All four vehicles involved in the smuggling incidents were 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. To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.

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.

Department of Homeland Security

Agents Make Multiple Illicit Drug Seizures throughout San Diego County - CBP.gov