Mom Stopped by San Clemente Border Patrol With Car Full of Cocaine: CBP

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — A young mother, driving a Honda Accord near San Clemente, was found to be hauling 14 bundles of cocaine along with her two children, a 2-year-old girl and an 11-year-old boy.

U.S. Border Patrol agents, including a K-9 handler, initially encountered the woman Monday morning and found her to be allegedly smuggling bundles of cocaine while traveling with two children along Interstate 5 near San Clemente.

"At approximately 10 a.m., a Border Patrol K-9 handler stopped a 2001 Honda Accord driven by a 25-year-old female on northbound I-5, near the Cristianitos Rd. exit," Patrol Agent in Charge Thomas Blanks said in a report.

During the stop, the agent’s K-9 alerted to the vehicle, and agents conducted a search of the interior, resulting in the discovery of 14 bundles of cocaine.

"Three bundles of cocaine were stashed in the front passenger seat, where the boy sat," Blanks said. "The rear passenger seat, where the girl sat, contained eight packages of cocaine."

Three additional packages of cocaine were hidden inside the driver’s seat, according to reports. The 14 bundles weighed a total of 38.25 pounds and have an estimated street value of $459,000.

“It is very sad to see innocent children entangled in this shameful attempt to smuggle illicit narcotics,” Blanks said.

The woman was arrested and turned over to a task force led by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The children were turned over to San Diego County Child Welfare Services. The vehicle was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.

As of July 31, San Diego Sector has intercepted 1,069 pounds of cocaine during fiscal year 2016, according to Blanks.

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