Border agents seize nearly $10 million in cocaine from two cars in three minutes
A record year for narcotics interdictions is in sight at the San Clemente checkpoint after a massive October bust.
By Takeshi Faure ·
U.S. Border Patrol agents at the San Clemente checkpoint seized 1,435 pounds of cocaine worth $9.8 million from two vehicles stopped just three minutes apart on Oct. 25.
The seizure was announced this weekend, marking a major addition to the San Diego Sector's narcotics totals for the year. Authorities recovered 550 vacuum-sealed packages hidden in black garbage bags inside the two cars. A field test confirmed the substance was cocaine.
Agents directed both drivers to secondary inspection after observing suspicious behavior. In one instance, a driver attempted to reverse out of the checkpoint before being stopped. A Border Patrol canine then alerted officers to the presence of drugs in both vehicles, prompting a physical search.
Both drivers were arrested and transferred to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The federal agency now holds the suspects and the narcotics while preparing for prosecution.
Station Patrol Agent in Charge J.D. Scott stated the seizure positions the checkpoint for a record year in narcotics interdictions. Scott noted that declining illegal border entries in San Diego allow agents to maintain a longer presence at the checkpoint and the I-5 corridor instead of deploying to the immediate border.
