Border Patrol Nabs 10 Pounds of Coke South of S.C.

Editor's Note: The following is part of the text of a press release from the U.S. Border Patrol.

U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the I-5 checkpoint [south of] San Clemente arrested a 22-year-old male Mexican national for attempting to smuggle nearly 10 pounds of cocaine.

On April 19, 2011, agents encountered the man at approximately 5:55 p.m., as he arrived at the checkpoint driving a blue 1992 Acura Legend.  During inspection, agents became suspicious of the man’s nervous demeanor and referred him for a secondary inspection.  A Border Patrol K-9 team was summoned and performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle resulting in a positive alert. 

Upon further inspection, agents discovered eight bundles of cocaine concealed in the rear door panels of the vehicle totaling 9.92 pounds with an estimated street value of $99,200.

The suspected smuggler and the illicit drugs were taken into custody and subsequently turned over to a multi-agency drug task force. The Acura Legend was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.