Agents Seize $1 Million in Narcotics

PINE VALLEY, Calif. — U.S. Border Patrol agents at the Interstate 8 checkpoint arrested a man on Sunday when agents found 84 pounds of cocaine and four pounds of fentanyl pills inside his vehicle.

The incident began at approximately 4 a.m. on October 4, when a 21-year-old male U.S. citizen arrived at the Interstate 8 checkpoint in a 2008 BMW X5.  As agents questioned the man, a nearby K-9 alerted to his BMW.

Agents searched the vehicle and discovered 36 wrapped packages beneath the driver’s side front tire.  The brick-shaped packages were wrapped in tinfoil and tested positive for cocaine and fentanyl.  The narcotics have an estimated street value of $1,056,400.

The driver and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.  The U.S. Border Patrol seized the vehicle.

Acting Chief Patrol Agent Patricia McGurk-Daniel said, “Criminal organizations go to great lengths to conceal and smuggle dangerous narcotics in order to make millions of dollars.  This is done without regard to the health and safety of our communities.  I am proud of our Border Patrol agents’ vigilant efforts to keep this poison off our streets.”

Since Oct. 1, 2019, San Diego Sector has seized more than 491 pounds of cocaine, 7,169 pounds of methamphetamine, 178 pounds of heroin, and 383 pounds of fentanyl.