Border Patrol Seizes More Than $500K of Cocaine at San Clemente Checkpoint

By MIRNA ALFONSO (Patch Staff)

PHOTO CAPTIONS:

Photo #1: Agents discovered 33.20 pounds of cocaine hidden inside the truck’s exhaust system.
Photo #2: Border Patrol agents referred a 23-year-old U.S. citizen in a Ford F-150 truck for a secondary inspection at the San Clemente Checkpoint on I-5.

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — Border Patrol agents this week arrested a man who allegedly attempted to smuggle cocaine through the Border Patrol checkpoint in San Clemente, north of Oceanside, a spokesperson said.

The incident occurred at about 9:30 a.m., as agents working at the checkpoint on Interstate 5 referred the 23-year-old male driver of a Ford F-150 truck to the secondary inspection area, according to Mary Beth Caston.

During the inspection, a Border Patrol K-9 team alerted agents to the undercarriage of the pickup truck. Agents conducted a further search of the vehicle and discovered 12 bundles of cocaine stashed inside the truck’s exhaust system, Caston said.

The bundles weighed 33.20 pounds and have an estimated street value of $531,200, Caston said.

The driver was arrested and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration, along with the narcotics. The Ford F-150 was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.

Richard A. Barlow, Chief Patrol Agent of the San Diego Sector, said, “This seizure illustrates not only the extreme efforts used to smuggle narcotics into our country, but also the high level of skill and effectiveness of Border Patrol agents who work at our checkpoints.”

In fiscal year 2015, San Diego Sector intercepted 895 pounds of cocaine.

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