U.S. Border Patrol Discovers Almost 7 Pound Stash of Cocaine at San Clemente Checkpoint

San Clemente, CA—You may think they've seen it all, as far as unique places to hide illegal narcotics inside vehicles, but the San Clemente U.S. Border Patrol Checkpoint found this hard to locate stash on Thursday, June 23.

"Border Patrol agents working at the U.S. Border Patrol Checkpoint in San Clemente seized several pounds of cocaine that had been hidden inside a fire extinguisher," they stated in a recent press release.

At approximately 10 a.m., agents encountered a 2008 Dodge Nitro driven by a 20-year-old female Mexican national.

"After the initial checkpoint inspection, the driver was referred to secondary inspection where a Border Patrol K-9 alerted to the cargo area of the SUV," the release said.

Upon closer inspection of the vehicle, agents noticed that the vehicle had an unusually large and heavy fire extinguisher in the back.

"They opened the canister and found 6.83 pounds of cocaine inside," the report said.

An estimated value of the Cocaine was $81,960.

"The woman was arrested for narcotics smuggling and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration along with the cocaine," the report said. "The vehicle was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol."

Since October 1, 2015, Border Patrol agents in San Diego Sector have intercepted 900 pounds of cocaine.

To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on corridors of egress away from our Nation’s borders, according to the report.

To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.