Pine Valley, Calif. — U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Interstate 8 checkpoint near Pine Valley stopped two drug smuggling attempts over the last two days resulting in the seizure of $328,100 worth of cocaine and methamphetamine.
On July 25, agents encountered a 20-year-old United States citizen female driver and 22-year-old male Mexican national passenger, as they arrived at the checkpoint driving a silver 2000 Plymouth Neon. During inspection, agents became suspicious of the pair’s nervous demeanor and referred them for a secondary inspection.
A Border Patrol K-9 team performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle resulting in a positive alert to the rear of the vehicle. Agents searched the vehicle and discovered a non-factory compartment inside the vehicle’s rear bumper.
Inside the compartment, agents discovered eight bundles of cocaine with a total weight of 22.05 pounds and an estimated street value of $220,500. The suspected smugglers and drugs were taken into custody and subsequently turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The vehicle was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.
On July 24, the second seizure took place when agents assigned to the checkpoint encountered the driver of a white 1998 Ford Mustang. The driver, a 19-year-old male United States citizen, appeared extremely nervous and was referred for a secondary inspection. A Border Patrol K-9 team performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle resulting in a positive alert to the trunk of the vehicle.
Agents searched the vehicle and discovered five packages of methamphetamine with a total weight of 5.38 pounds and an estimated street value of $107,600. The suspected smuggler and drugs were taken into custody and subsequently turned over to a multi-agency drug taskforce. The vehicle was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.
To prevent illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on major corridors of egress away from our nation’s borders. Since October 1, 2010, San Diego Sector Border Patrol agents have seized more than 65,000 pounds of marijuana, 1,368 pounds of cocaine, and 317 pounds of methamphetamine.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment