On June 4, U.S. Border Patrol agents in the San Diego Sector intercepted a major cocaine trafficking attempt at the Interstate 15 checkpoint near Temecula. The operation resulted in the seizure of 104 pounds of cocaine, hidden in a modified vehicle compartment.
The incident unfolded around 1:50 p.m. when agents from the Newton-Azrak Station stopped a silver SUV for inspection. During the routine stop, a brief interview raised suspicions, prompting the deployment of a K-9 unit. The detection dog signaled the presence of narcotics, prompting a thorough examination of the vehicle.
Agents discovered 40 bundles of cocaine hidden within a motorized aftermarket compartment in the SUV’s roof. Lab testing confirmed the substance as cocaine, weighing in at 104 pounds with an estimated street value of $708,000.
The driver, a U.S. citizen, was taken into custody. Homeland Security Investigations assumed responsibility for both the individual and the narcotics. The SUV was also seized as part of the investigation. The case has been referred to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of California, with charges filed under federal narcotics laws.
San Diego Acting Chief Patrol Agent Jeffrey D. Stalnaker praised the vigilance of the agents involved, emphasizing their commitment to disrupting drug smuggling efforts.
So far this fiscal year, San Diego Sector agents have seized 2,356 pounds of methamphetamine, 2,587 pounds of cocaine, 250 pounds of fentanyl, and 56 pounds of heroin—underscoring the region’s ongoing role in the fight against drug trafficking.
5 June 2025
