SAN CLEMENTE, Calif.—Thursday evening, U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested a man at the I-5 Checkpoint who had more than 23 pounds of methamphetamine hidden under the rear seat of his SUV.
At approximately 6:45 p.m., a 25-year-old male Mexican national arrived at the I-5 checkpoint driving a 1994 white Jeep Grand Cherokee. The man was referred to secondary inspection, where a K-9 sniff of the Jeep resulted in a positive alert. Agents searched the vehicle and observed 10 cellophane wrapped bundles of methamphetamine under the rear seat.
The methamphetamine was hidden under the rear seat of the SUV.
The drugs weighed 23.60 pounds and have an estimated street value of $236,000.
Agents arrested the man and turned him and the narcotics over to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The vehicle was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.
CBP’s strategy to secure our Nation’s borders is based on a “defense in depth” philosophy. This includes the use of Border Patrol interior checkpoints to interdict all threats to border security attempting to egress into the interior portions of our Nation. During fiscal year 2014, San Diego Sector Border Patrol seized more than 1,790 pounds of methamphetamine, mostly at their checkpoints.
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 away from our Nation’s borders. To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.