SAN CLEMENTE, Calif.—U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a man on Tuesday with over a hundred packages of crystal methamphetamine stashed inside his vehicle.
At approximately 1:30 p.m., agents patrolling Interstate 5 north of the San Clemente checkpoint observed a suspicious 2002 Mazda Tribute and initiated a vehicle stop. Agents conducted a K-9 sniff, which resulted in a positive alert. Agents searched the vehicle and located foil-wrapped packages hidden inside a door panel.
The 52-year-old male Mexican national driver and SUV were transported to the San Clemente Station for a more thorough inspection of the vehicle. Agents searched and discovered additional packages hidden inside the right and left quarter-panels, inside the door panels, underneath the center console, and under the vehicle floor. When finished, the agents had 136 packages of methamphetamine. Totalling 183.09 pounds, the narcotics are worth $1,830,900 in U.S. currency.
The suspect and drugs were turned over to agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration. The vehicle was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.
To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on corridors of egress near our Nation’s borders. To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.