U.S. Border Patrol Canines Assist in Seizure of More Than $1M of Hidden Narcotics at Interstate 8 Checkpoint

Pine Valley, Calif. — U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Interstate 8 checkpoint prevented two narcotics smuggling attempts over the weekend resulting in the seizure of $1,085,800 of cocaine, crystal methamphetamine and heroin.

On Saturday at approximately 11:30 p.m., agents encountered a 43-year-old male United States citizen driving a black 2004 Volvo XC90 as he arrived to the checkpoint. During inspection, agents became suspicious of the man’s nervous demeanor and referred him for a secondary inspection.

A Border Patrol K-9 team performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle resulting in a positive alert to the driver’s side door. Agents searched the vehicle and discovered two non-factory compartments beneath the driver and front passenger seats. The hidden compartments contained 22 bundles of crystal methamphetamine that weighed 34 pounds and had an estimated street value of $510,000. Agents also discovered two bundles of heroin that weighed 5.2 pounds and were worth an estimated $67,600.

On Sunday at approximately 10:30 a.m., agents encountered a 46-year-old male Mexican national driving a maroon 2002 Dodge Ram as he arrived to the checkpoint. A Border Patrol K-9 team performed a cursory inspection resulting in a positive alert to the frame rails behind the truck’s front bumper. Agents searched the truck and discovered 22 packages of cocaine in the frame rails with a total weight of 50.82 pounds and an estimated street value of $508,200.

The suspected smugglers and narcotics involved in both incidents were taken into custody and subsequently turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation. The vehicles used in both smuggling attempts 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.