Three suspected smugglers were arrested after ecstasy, methamphetamine, cocaine and heroin were found in two separate vehicles stopped at the U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint near San Onofre, federal officials announced Wednesday.
The first of the busts at the checkpoint on northbound Interstate 5 Monday happened around 8:15 a.m. after a dog alerted agents to the spare tire inside the trunk of a 1993 Toyota Camry, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Inside the tire agents found roughly 10,000 doses of ecstasy, nearly 19 pounds of cocaine, 9.35 pounds of meth, 18.92 pounds of cocaine and 4.81 pounds of brown heroin.
The driver and the estimated $652,700 worth of drugs were turned over to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, authorities said.
At about 1:30 p.m., agents searched a 1999 Nissan Pathfinder with the driver and passenger’s consent after stopping it at the checkpoint.
Roughly 10 1/2 pounds of crystal meth — worth about $104,700 — was found hidden inside the SUV’s roof rack, according to CBP officials. The driver and passenger were taken into custody and also turned over to the DEA.
No suspect names were immediately released.
—City News Service