Massive Temecula Cocaine Bust: 75 Pounds Worth Nearly $1 Million Seized By Border Patrol

TEMECULA, CA — A massive drug bust happened this week in the Temecula Valley, as two men attempted to smuggle nearly a million dollars worth of cocaine through the region, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials report. The incident happened Thursday along I-15 as a duo allegedly tried to hide the narcotics cleverly.

According to Border Patrol officials, agents stopped two men who were traveling in a 1999 Chevrolet Malibu sedan along the northbound side of the interstate, near the checkpoint.

"During the vehicle stop, one of the agents conducted an exterior search of the Chevrolet Malibu with a Border Patrol K-9, resulting in a positive alert," Supervisory Border Patrol Agent Mark Endicott said in a news release. "The agents conducted a further search of the vehicle and discovered 32 bundles of cocaine stashed in the front wheel wells and bumper."

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The bundles weighed in at a total of 75.96 pounds, Endicott said. The estimated street value of the drugs is $987,454.

"The alleged smugglers, both of whom are 30 years of age, are currently in custody at a Riverside County detention facility and are facing state narcotics smuggling charges," the agent said. The two men were not identified.

Local Border Patrol agents in the San Diego area have seized 2,690 pounds of cocaine since Oct. 1, 2016.

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Images courtesy: U.S. Customs and Border Protection