2 arrested, more than $1 million in cocaine seized

By Kristina Davis, UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
Monday, February 1, 2010 at 3:50 p.m.

NORTH COUNTY — Two men were arrested in separate smuggling attempts over the weekend after Border Patrol agents at the Interstate 5 checkpoint near Camp Pendleton discovered more than $1 million worth of cocaine hidden in vehicles.

The first seizure happened about 9:30 a.m. Saturday when agents stopped a Toyota Tercel driven by an 18-year-old U.S. citizen, Border Patrol officials said. A drug dog alerted agents to possible contraband and they discovered 15 bundles of cocaine hidden in a secret compartment in the gas tank. The 39 pounds of cocaine was valued at $392,000.

Around 7:15 p.m., a drug dog picked up a scent on a Ford F-250 pickup driven by a 44-year-old Mexican man. Agents found 28 packages of cocaine, valued at $713,000, stuffed inside a spare tire.

Both suspects were arrested and turned over to the U.S. Drug Enforcement

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