U.S. Border Patrol agents seized nearly $10 million worth of cocaine during two vehicle inspections just three minutes apart at the San Clemente Border Patrol checkpoint in Southern California last month. Authorities discovered more than 1,435 pounds of suspected cocaine valued at $9.8 million.
On Oct. 25, agents referred the two vehicles for additional inspection after observing "suspicious behavior," including one driver attempting to reverse out of the checkpoint. A Border Patrol canine alerted agents to both vehicles, leading to the discovery of 550 vacuum-sealed packages concealed inside black garbage bags. Field tests yielded presumptive positive results for cocaine.
"With this seizure, we are heading for a record year in narcotics interdictions here at the San Clemente checkpoint," said San Clemente Station Patrol Agent in Charge J.D. Scott. "With illegal border entries in San Diego at all-time lows, we now have the agents needed to keep our checkpoint open longer and to maintain a strong Border Patrol presence along our I-5 corridor."
Both drivers were arrested, and the Drug Enforcement Administration took custody of the suspects and suspected narcotics pending federal prosecution. The seizures are part of a broader effort to combat drug trafficking networks. Maya Garcia