U.S. Border Patrol Agents Seize More Than $1 Million of Illicit Narcotics Along San Diego’s Major Interstates

San Diego — U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Interstate 5 and Interstate 15 checkpoints prevented two narcotics smuggling attempts over the last five days resulting in the seizure of $1,012,300 of cocaine and methamphetamine.

At approximately 4:40 p.m. yesterday, agents encountered a 21-year-old male United States citizen driver and a 19-year-old female United States citizen passenger as they arrived to the Interstate 5 Border Patrol checkpoint in a silver 2002 Volkswagen Jetta. During inspection, agents became suspicious of the occupants’ 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 trunk. Agents searched the vehicle and discovered 14 bundles of cocaine concealed inside of two shopping bags in the trunk. The cocaine weighed a total of 30.69 pounds and had an estimated street value of $306,900.

The second seizure occurred last Friday, February 17, after agents stopped a 28-year-old female Mexican national driver of a white 2006 Ford Fusion at the Interstates 15 and 215 split. A Border Patrol K-9 team alerted to the exterior of the vehicle, and a search by agents led to the discovery of 20 bundles of methamphetamine in hidden compartments inside of the vehicle’s rocker panels. The total weight of the narcotics was 35.27 pounds with an estimated street value of $705,400. The suspected smugglers and narcotics involved in both incidents were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation. The vehicles involved in both smuggling incidents were seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.

To prevent illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on major 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.

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.