Border Patrol seizes nearly $1 million worth of illegal drugs in San Diego

Over the weekend, San Diego Border Patrol agents snagged more than $930,000 worth of cocaine, marijuana, and crystal methamphetamine.

“On Saturday, agents assigned to the Interstate 8 checkpoint near Pine Valley arrested a 26-year-old male United States citizen for attempting to smuggle 61.91 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $619, 058,” Scott E. Simon, Border Patrol Agent for the San Diego Sector Communication Division said.

Simon said the drugs were discovered at the checkpoint’s secondary inspection area by K-9 dogs. The illicit drugs were located in a secret floorboard compartment.

“Our agents searched the vehicle (a BMW X5) and discovered 25 cellophane-wrapped brick-shaped bundles in natural voids beneath seats. The suspected smuggler and cocaine were taken into custody and subsequently turned over to a multi-agency drug task force,” Simon said.

In a separate incident, Border Patrol agents assigned to the Interstate 15 checkpoint stopped a Mexican national driving a Ford pickup. Again, it was a K-9 team that located illicit drugs.


“Agents searched and subsequently discovered a non-factory compartment beneath the bed of the truck in which 30 bundles of marijuana were concealed. The drugs weighed a total of 313.83 pounds and had an estimated street value of $156, 915,” according to Border Patrol.

Border Patrol agents arrested and turned over all the suspected drug smugglers to the proper authorities. All of the vehicles were seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.

Anyone with information regarding suspicious activity is encouraged to contact the San Diego Border Patrol at (619) 498-9900.

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