U.S. Border Patrol Agents Thwart Three Narcotic Smuggling Attempts in San Diego County

San Diego — U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the San Diego Sector prevented three drug smuggling attempts this week, resulting in the seizures of cocaine, methamphetamine, and crystal methamphetamine valued at more than $500,000.

On Monday at about 1:40 p.m., agents at the Interstate 15 checkpoint stopped a 22-year-old male U.S. citizen driving a 2006 Nissan Altima. The driver and his passenger exhibited nervous demeanors in response to questions and were referred for a secondary inspection. A Border Patrol K-9 team performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle resulting in an alert. Agents subsequently discovered a non-factory compartment behind the dashboard containing methamphetamine. The narcotics weighed 2.09 pounds and had an estimated street value of $41,800. The driver, his passenger, and the narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration. 

On Tuesday at approximately 2:30 p.m., agents at the Interstate 8 checkpoint encountered a 39-year-old male U.S. citizen driving a 2003 BMW X5. During inspection, agents became suspicious of the driver’s nervous demeanor and referred him for secondary inspection. A Border Patrol K-9 team performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle resulting in alerts to the engine compartment and the cargo area. Agents searched the vehicle and discovered two packages of methamphetamine under the hood inside an electrical box adjacent to the firewall. The methamphetamine weighed 3.18 pounds and had an estimated street value of $63,600. Agents also discovered six packages of cocaine inside a cardboard box in the cargo area of the SUV. The cocaine weighed 17.06 pounds and had an estimated street value of $187,660. The 39-year-old driver and the narcotics were turned over to a multi-agency drug task force for further investigation.

A third event occurred on Wednesday at approximately 10:15 a.m. when agents near the San Clemente checkpoint encountered a 30-year-old male U.S. citizen driving a 1991 Jeep Cherokee. Agents became suspicious of the driver’s nervous demeanor and requested and received permission to inspect the vehicle. A Border Patrol K-9 team performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle resulting in an alert. Agents searched the vehicle and discovered a speaker box in the cargo area of the Jeep containing 12 bundles of crystal methamphetamine. The crystal methamphetamine weighed 14.11 pounds and had an estimated street value of $211,650. The driver and the narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.

The vehicles used in the three events were seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.

To prevent the 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.