Crime & Safety

Man Nabbed Trying to Smuggle Cocaine on Bus

The U.S. Border Patrol reports two big drug busts.

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is a press release from the U.S. Border Patrol. For some perspective on cross-border drug trafficking in San Diego and Orange Counties, read our recent series,

U.S. Border Patrol agents prevented two drug smuggling attempts last week resulting in the seizure of cocaine and methamphetamine worth an estimated $344,650.

The first smuggling attempt occurred around 11 a.m. on Thursday at the Interstate 5 checkpoint near San Clemente. During inspection, agents encountered a 20-year-old male United States citizen on a bus and became suspicious of the man’s nervous demeanor.

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The man was referred for a secondary inspection.  Agents subsequently discovered two bundles of cocaine taped to the man’s body. The cocaine weighed 4.63 pounds and had an estimated street value of $46,300. The suspected smuggler and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

A second event occurred on Sunday at about 3:45 p.m. Agents encountered a 26-year-old male United States citizen driving a white 2000 Mitsubishi Eclipse at the Interstate 8 checkpoint near Pine Valley.

Find out what's happening in San Clementewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

During inspection, agents became suspicious of the driver and his male passenger and referred them for a secondary inspection.

A Border Patrol K-9 performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle resulting in an alert. Agents searched the vehicle and discovered seven bundles of crystal methamphetamine in the driver and passenger rear quarter panels. The methamphetamine weighed 19.89 pounds and had an estimated street value of $298,350. 

The suspected smugglers and narcotics were turned over to the San Diego Sheriff’s Department for further investigation. The vehicle was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.


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