'Trifecta' of Drugs Valued at $700K Seized at Temecula Border Checkpoint: CBP

TEMECULA, CA- As the 2004 Nissan Altima approached the Temecula border checkpoint along Interstate 15 on Tuesday morning, it looked no different than most of the other vehicles that pass through the region daily. But border patrol officials say it was indeed very different.

That's because inside officials found a whopping 34 bundles of narcotics, stashed inside secret compartments built into the sedan's floorboards, according to U.S. Border Patrol Spokeswoman Mary Beth Caston.

The seizure-- valued at $717,220-- happened around 10:15 a.m., after agents pulled the vehicle over near the checkpoint, according to Caston.

"After agents interviewed the driver, a Border Patrol K-9 conducted a search and alerted agents to the vehicle," she said, adding that when agents searched further, they discovered the hidden panels and drugs.

In all, Caston says agents pulled the following from the car:

• 4.25 pounds of brown heroin
• 11.73 pounds of white heroin
• 7.21 pounds of cocaine
• 32.21 pounds of crystal methamphetamine

“Without a doubt, this seizure was a significant blow to the criminal organization that was accountable for the narcotics," San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Richard Barlow said in a news release. "This seizure could not have taken place without the vigilance demonstrated by the involved agents."

The unidentified 39-year-old male driver was arrested and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration, Caston said. Border Patrol seized the Nissan.

Border Patrol agents in the San Diego Sector have intercepted 598.42 pounds of cocaine, 1,521.61 pounds of methamphetamine, and 2,447.53 ounces of heroin since Oct. 1 of last year, according to Caston.