San Diego — U.S. Border Patrol agents
seized a total of $253,550 worth of marijuana and liquid methamphetamine this
week in two separate attempted drug smuggling events.
Yesterday at approximately 1:45 p.m.,
agents encountered a 35-year-old male Mexican national driving a 2008 Ford
Fiesta at the I-15 Border Patrol checkpoint near Temecula. Agents became
suspicious of the man’s nervous demeanor and referred him for a secondary
inspection. A Border Patrol Canine team performed a cursory inspection of the
vehicle resulting in an alert. Agents searched the vehicle and discovered a
large freezer bag inside of the gas tank containing a yellowish liquid. The
fluid in the bag tested positive for liquid methamphetamine and weighed a total
of 8.38 pounds with an estimated street value of $167,600. The suspected
smuggler and narcotics were taken into custody and turned over to the Riverside
County Sheriff’s Department for further investigation.
On Sunday at about 7 p.m., agents
encountered a 39-year-old male Mexican national driving a 1999 Jeep Cherokee as
he arrived at the I-8 checkpoint near Pine Valley. Agents became suspicious of
the man’s nervous demeanor and referred him for a secondary inspection. A
Border Patrol K-9 team performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle resulting
in an alert to the undercarriage. Agents searched the vehicle and discovered 23
cellophane-wrapped bundles of marijuana concealed inside of the spare tire and
gas tank. The marijuana weighed a total of 57.3 pounds and had an estimated
street value of $85,950. The suspected smuggler and drugs were taken into
custody and turned over to a multi-agency drug taskforce for further
investigation.
The vehicles in both events were seized
by the U.S. Border Patrol.
To prevent 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.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
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.
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