San Diego Border Patrol snags $786k of cocaine, meth and marijuana

Border Patrol agents at the I-8 checkpoint near Pine Valley/San Diego prevented three drug smugglers trying to bring Mexican drugs into the U.S. The net resulted in the seizure of more than 220 pounds of illicit drugs and the arrests of four suspected drug smugglers.

“The first smuggling attempt was stopped when agents arrested a 24-year-old male United States citizen and his 19-year-old male United States citizen passenger on Friday,” said Scott Simon, Border Patrol Agent for the San Diego Sector communications department. “Agents encountered the men at approximately 11:45 a.m., as they arrived at the checkpoint driving a gray 2002 Nissan Xterra. During inspection, agents became suspicious of the men’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 cargo compartment.”

Border Patrol Agents continued their inspection and discovered a non-factory compartment in the roof of the SUV that contained 25 bundles of cocaine that weighed 59.66 pounds with an estimated street value of $596,600.

In another stop Border Patrol Agents arrested a 21-year-old male U.S. citizen for attempting to smuggle more than 5 pounds of crystal methamphetamine in a Jeep Grand Cherokee. It was a Border Patrol K-9 team that alerted agents to a passenger side door and tire during the inspection. “A search of the undercarriage of the vehicle revealed the crystal methamphetamine concealed in the differential casing. The narcotics are valued at nearly $95,000,” according to Border Patrol.
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Finally agents arrested a 21-year-old female American citizen who arrived at the I-8 checkpoint trying to smuggle 159 pounds of marijuana. Again the BP K-9 team positively alerted agents to the dope located at the rear of the car. Agent’s uncovered 48 green cellophane-wrapped marijuana bundles weighting 158.99 pounds and had an estimated street value of $95,400.

All the suspected smugglers and illicit drugs were all taken into custody and subsequently turned over to a multi-agency drug task force and the vehicles were seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.

Border Patrol Agents encourage citizens to report the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs and other suspicious contraband by calling 619-498-9900.

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