U.S. Border Patrol agents captured more than 33 pounds of cocaine Thursday at the San Clemente checkpoint.
A man, 23, allegedly tried to smuggle the cocaine around 9:30 a.m. The driver was referred to a secondary inspection where a K-9 team alerted agents to the drugs in the undercarriage of the pickup truck.
The bundles weighed 33.20 pounds and have an estimated street value of $531,200. The driver was arrested and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration, along with the narcotics. The Ford F-150 was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.
“This seizure illustrates not only the extreme efforts used to smuggle narcotics into our country, but also the high level of skill and effectiveness of Border Patrol agents who work at our checkpoints,” said Chief Patrol Agent of the San Diego Sector Richard Barlow.
In fiscal year 2015, San Diego Sector intercepted 895 pounds of cocaine.
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.
