Meth Smuggler Caught by San Clemente Border Patrol

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — The Border Patrol in San Clemente worked overtime yesterday when a Mexican national who was illegally residing in the U.S. attempted to drive through the checkpoint with multiple narcotics bundles in his vehicle according to U.S. Border Patrol recent release.

"Border Patrol agents working at the Interstate 5 checkpoint in San Clemente on Wednesday seized 61 bundles of narcotics from the vehicle of a 22-year-old man," they said.

At approximately 7 p.m., agents encountered a 2005 Nissan Frontier driven by a man who is not a citizen, and was allegedly in the country illegally according to the Border Patrol.

"After the initial checkpoint inspection, the driver was referred to secondary inspection, where a Border Patrol K-9 alerted to the front doors of the truck," they said. "During a closer inspection of the vehicle, agents discovered 59 bundles of methamphetamine and two bundles of hashish inside three duffel bags."

In all, agents confiscated 73.04 pounds of methamphetamine and 4.45 pounds of hashish. The narcotics were valued at $473,960 according to the Border Patrol release.

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

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.

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

Border Patrol Photos