Agents seize 1,435 pounds of cocaine in three-minute span
Two drivers were arrested at the San Clemente checkpoint after a K9 unit flagged suspicious vehicles on Oct. 25.
By Ana Castro ·
U.S. Border Patrol agents seized 1,435 pounds of cocaine valued at $9.8 million on Oct. 25. The haul was discovered during two vehicle inspections that occurred just three minutes apart at the San Clemente checkpoint in San Diego.
Officials announced the seizure on Friday, several days after the event. Agents referred both cars to secondary inspection after noticing irregular driving patterns. One driver attempted to reverse out of the checkpoint line before officers intervened.
A Border Patrol dog alerted to both vehicles, prompting a thorough search. Agents found 550 vacuum-sealed packages hidden inside black garbage bags. A field test confirmed the substance was cocaine. Both drivers were arrested and taken into the custody of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Federal prosecution is pending.
J.D. Scott, the San Clemente Station Patrol Agent in Charge, noted the volume of the seizure. "With this seizure, we are heading for a record year in narcotics interdictions here at the San Clemente checkpoint," Scott said.
Scott explained that shifting border dynamics have allowed for increased staffing at the location. "A few years ago, our agents were deployed to the immediate border and processed hundreds of illegal aliens," he said. "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."
