Two Smuggling Attempts Thwarted At Border Checkpoint
Officials: Agents Seize Almost $200K Worth Of Marijuana
POSTED: 9:26 pm PDT May 14,
2008
UPDATED: 9:35 pm PDT May 14,
2008
SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. -- A total of 241 pounds of marijuana was seized by Border Patrol agents Monday in two separate smuggling attempts at a San Clemente checkpoint, officials said Wednesday.According to authorities, the first smuggling attempt took place at 10:45 a.m., when agents encountered a 34-year-old male Mexican national driving a Ford Explorer pickup truck.A Border Patrol K-9 alert on the vehicle prompted agents to conduct a search, at which time they found 78.8 pounds of marijuana and drug paraphernalia stashed inside the truck. The estimated street value of the marijuana seized in that incident is $63,040, officials said.
Authorities said that just few hours later, agents made the second seizure.Officials said that at 3:15 p.m. Monday, a 32-year-old female Mexican national arrived at the checkpoint in a Ford F-250. A Border Patrol K-9 alerted on the exterior of the vehicle at secondary inspection, leading agents to searched the pickup truck.Officials said that during that search, agents and 12 bundles of marijuana inside the gas tank and another 24 bundles of marijuana in modified compartments throughout the bed of the pickup truck. The marijuana weighed 163 pounds and its estimated street value is $130,400, officials said.Officials said that agents handed the drugs and the two accused smugglers over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
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