US Border Patrol agents seized nearly $10 million worth of cocaine during two vehicle inspections just three minutes apart at a Southern California checkpoint on Oct. 25. Agents discovered more than 1,435 pounds of suspected cocaine valued at $9.8 million at the San Clemente Border Patrol checkpoint.
Agents assigned to the San Diego Sector 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, according to US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). San Clemente Station Patrol Agent in Charge J.D. Scott stated that the San Clemente checkpoint is on track for a record year in narcotics interdictions.
"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," Scott said.
Both drivers were arrested, and the Drug Enforcement Administration took custody of the suspects and suspected narcotics pending federal prosecution. The seizures occurred as part of the Trump administration's broader efforts to combat drug cartels and trafficking networks.