Crime & Safety

Border Patrol Nabs 35 Lbs. Heroin, Meth on I-5

Agents made the bust Saturday morning, a Border Patrol release states.

U.S. Border Patrol agents Saturday arrested a man suspected of smuggling more than $678,000 worth of methamphetamine and heroin, according to a release from the agency.

At 7:45 a.m., agents stopped a 23-year-old U.S. citizen driving a 2000 Volkswagen Passat at the I-5 checkpoint near San Clemente, the release states.

Agents brought in a drug dog after the man exhibited a "nervous demeanor," the release states. Agents searched the vehicle after the drug dog indicated drugs were present, and found a bundle of heroin and 29 bundles of methamphetamine hidden inside the spare tire well, according to the release.

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The methamphetamine weighed 31.20 pounds and had an estimated street value of $624,000. The heroin weighed 3.90 pounds and had an estimated street value of $54,600, the release states.


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