Border Patrol San Diego Sector agents, aided by K9 teams, seized more than 160 pounds of illicit drugs last week during two separate vehicle stops.
The first search and seizure took place on Interstate 5 near the San Clemente Border Patrol Checkpoint last Tuesday, according to a news release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
At approximately 2:35 p.m., agents pulled over a suspicious vehicle traveling northbound. A Border Patrol K9 team trained to detect the presence of concealed people, narcotics and other contraband conducted a search of the vehicle and alerted agents to search further.
Agents inspected the vehicle and discovered packages consistent with smuggled narcotics in an aftermarket compartment in the floorboard. The suspected narcotics, vehicle and driver were sent to a nearby Border Patrol station for further investigation.
At the station, agents removed a total of 55 cellophane-wrapped packages that tested positive for cocaine. The total weight of the cocaine was 142.96 pounds, with an estimated street value exceeding $1.1 million.
The Drug Enforcement Administration took custody of the cocaine and the driver who is facing narcotics-related charges. The vehicle was seized by U.S. Border Patrol.
Border Patrol agents made another large narcotics seizure at an Interstate 15 checkpoint in Temecula on Feb. 19.
A Border Patrol K9 team alerted agents of the need for secondary inspection. They discovered a backpack on the front passenger floorboard where agents found bundles consistent with the characteristics of narcotics.
Eight bundles were tested and weighed at the station resulting in 18.51 pounds of fentanyl valued at approximately $143,000.
The driver is facing charges for transportation and possession of a controlled substance for sale and was turned over to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department along with the vehicle and narcotics.
Agents in the San Diego Sector seized 2,862 pounds of cocaine and 782 pounds of fentanyl in fiscal year 2024. Local Border Patrol agents have already seized approximately 700 pounds of cocaine and more than 150 pounds of fentanyl this fiscal year, officials said.
