Published: April 19, 2011
Updated: 4:17 p.m.

Border Patrol: Man found with 25 pounds of cocaine

By SALVADOR HERNANDEZ
THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

SAN CLEMENTE – More than 25 pounds of cocaine were found by U.S. Border Patrol agents after stopping a 32-year-old man Sunday afternoon, according to authorities.

The driver, a Mexican national, was also determined to have been in the country illegally and he was arrested by agents, according to a statement from Border Patrol.

Agents stopped the man at 5:45 p.m. near the I-5 Border Patrol checkpoint. The man was driving a 2000 Dodge Dakota pickup and agents became suspicious because of the man was acting nervously, according to the statement.

Agents inspected the vehicle with the help of a K-9 team and found 25.35 pounds of cocaine hidden in a bag behind the driver's seat.

According to the Border Patrol, the cocaine is believed to have a street value of $253,500.

The truck was seized by U.S. Border Patrol.

Contact the writer: shernandez@ocregister.com or 949-454-7361

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