SAN CLEMENTE, Calif: US Border Patrol agents arrested a man at the Interstate 5 checkpoint who attempted to smuggle cocaine hidden inside an aftermarket compartment of his vehicle.
U.S. Border Patrol Agents at the San Clemente checkpoint found six cocaine bundles hidden in an aftermarket partition built in the rear speaker compartment of a 2008 Nissan Sentara. At approximately 7:20 p.m., the 28-year-old U.S. citizen arrived at the I-5 checkpoint driving a 2008 Nissan Sentra. He was referred to the secondary inspection area, where a K-9 sniff of the sedan resulted in a positive alert. Agents searched and discovered cellophane wrapped packages hidden inside an aftermarket compartment built into the rear speaker partition.
Six cocaine bundles were discovered. The bundles weighed 15.74 pounds and have an estimated street value of $204,620. The man and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The vehicle was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.
Last fiscal year the San Diego Sector seized more than 1,697 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of more than $22 million.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
