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  4. CBP U.S. Border Patrol Nabs $175K of Cocaine and Marijuana on I-5

CBP U.S. Border Patrol Nabs $175K of Cocaine and Marijuana on I-5

Release Date
Thu, 04/21/2011

San Clemente, Calif. - U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the I-5 checkpoint in San Clemente arrested a 22-year-old male Mexican national for attempting to smuggle nearly 10 pounds of cocaine.

On April 19, agents encountered the man at approximately 5:55 p.m., as he arrived at the checkpoint driving a blue 1992 Acura Legend. During inspection, agents became suspicious of the man's nervous demeanor and referred him for a secondary inspection. A Border Patrol canine team was summoned and performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle resulting in a positive alert.

Upon further inspection, agents discovered eight bundles of cocaine concealed in the rear door panels of the vehicle totaling 9.92 pounds with an estimated street value of $99,200.

The suspected smuggler and the illicit drugs were taken into custody and subsequently turned over to a multi-agency drug task force. The Acura Legend was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.

Yesterday, Border Patrol agents conducted a vehicle stop on a 2004 Dodge Intrepid on the I-5 north near the Tustin Ranch Road exit. During inspection, agents uncovered 38 bundles of marijuana in a compartment behind the rear seat with a total weight of 126.3 pounds and an estimated street value of $75,780.

One male and one female, both 18-year-old U.S. citizens, were taken into custody and transported to a local Border Patrol station for processing. The suspected drug smugglers are being held on drug-related charges. The vehicle was 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.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021