Border Patrol agents seize nearly $10 million in cocaine in back-to-back stops

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. - On Oct. 25, U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the San Diego Sector seized over 1,435 pounds of cocaine valued at $9.8 million during two vehicle inspections just three minutes apart at the San Clemente Border Patrol checkpoint.

Agents referred both vehicles to secondary inspection after observing suspicious behavior, including one driver attempting to reverse out of the checkpoint.

A Border Patrol canine alerted officers to both vehicles, leading agents to discover 550 vacuum-sealed packages concealed in black garbage bags. A field test yielded a presumptive positive result for cocaine.

"With this seizure, we are heading for a record year in narcotics interdictions here at the San Clemente checkpoint," said San Clemente Station Patrol Agent in Charge J.D. Scott. "A few years ago, our agents were deployed to the immediate border and processed hundreds of illegal aliens. With illegal border entries in San Diego at all-time lows, we now have the agents needed to keep our checkpoint open longer and to maintain a strong Border Patrol presence along our I-5 corridor."

Agents arrested both drivers. The Drug Enforcement Administration took custody of the individuals and suspected narcotics pending federal prosecution.

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.

Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, the dedicated men and women of CBP, alongside our law enforcement partners and with the help of the Homeland Security Task Force, are eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, human smuggling and drug trafficking networks.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 70,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air and on the seas. We enforce safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration and trust.

• Topics
• Cocaine
• Drug Seizure
• Drug Trafficking
• U.S. Border Patrol