U.S. Border Patrol seizes nearly 50 pounds of cocaine in a Southern California traffic stop, busting two suspects. 🌐 #News #SanClementeCA #California #Crime
SAN CLEMENTE, CA – Tension gripped Interstate 5 in California near Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton last Thursday when Border Patrol agents halted a northbound sedan at approximately 5:45 p.m. What began as a routine stop spiraled into a major drug bust, exposing nearly 50 pounds of cocaine stashed in the vehicle’s trunk. The U.S. Border Patrol San Clemente Station team, now celebrated for their vigilance, quickly turned a casual encounter into a high-stakes operation.
Traffic Stop Turns Bust
Agents flagged down the sedan and chatted with the driver before calling in a K-9 unit for backup. The dog’s keen senses didn’t disappoint—it signaled something suspicious.
A thorough search of the trunk revealed two white trash bags stuffed with cellophane-wrapped packages. Suspecting narcotics, agents hauled the car, the loot, and the two men inside—the driver and an adult male passenger—to a nearby station for closer inspection.
Cocaine Confirmed, Charges Filed
Tests confirmed the packages held 47.51 pounds of cocaine, with a street value pegged at nearly $810,000. The U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration swooped in to take custody of the drugs, while Border Patrol seized the vehicle…