SAN DIEGO — U.S. Border Patrol agents from San Clemente Station this week seized 65 pounds of methamphetamine and 41 pounds of cocaine in two separate incidents.
At approximately 10:35 am on June 12, agents conducted a vehicle stop on a 2008 Saturn VUE traveling northbound on Interstate 5 near the Basilone exit. A search of the vehicle revealed a total of 30 packages of narcotics on the back seat.
The 30 packages tested positive for 31 pounds of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $68,200.
The driver, a male US citizen (USC), and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA). The vehicle was confiscated by border police.
The next day, at approximately 11:40 a.m., San Clemente agents conducted a vehicle stop on a 2011 Jeep Compass traveling northbound on Interstate 5 near the secondary inspection area of the San Clemente Border Patrol Station.
After questioning the driver, a USC woman, agents obtained permission to search the vehicle. After a positive K-9 alert, agents conducted another search of the vehicle’s interior, where narcotics were hidden in the vehicle’s roof.
Agents removed a total of 45 bundles from the vehicle. The packages tested positive for two types of narcotics. 30 packages weighing about 34.5 pounds tested positive for methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $75,900. The remaining 15 packages tested positive for cocaine, totaling 41 pounds and having an estimated street value of $576,600. The DEA took the driver and the narcotics into custody. The vehicle was confiscated by border guards.
“Criminal organizations are poisoning our communities with these narcotics and only care about the proceeds from their eventual sale,” said Aaron Heitke, San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent. “Fortunately, border guards were able to intercept these shipments and remove them from our streets.”
To prevent the illegal smuggling of people, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance in exit corridors away from our nation’s borders. To the U.S. To report suspicious activity to Border Patrol, contact the San Diego Sector at (619.498-9900).
