Border Patrol: Driver busted with 70 pounds of cocaine in vehicle

MURRIETA, Calif. (KGTV) — Border Patrol agents arrested a man Wednesday after more than 70 pounds of cocaine were found inside inside his vehicle.

Border Patrol agents stop a suspicious vehicle at about 7 p.m. on Interstate 215 near the Muerrieta Hot Springs exit. A K-9 officer was used to search the vehicle and detected possible narcotics.

During the search, agents said they located 27 bundles of cocaine stashed inside the vehicle's front and rear seats and underneath seats.

The bundles weighed about 70 pounds, with a street value of about $786,450. The driver, a 32-year-old U.S. citizen, was arrested and turned over to Drug Enforcement Administration.

The bust capped off drug seizures totaling about 117 pounds within the last 72 hours, according to Customs and Border Protection.

“In the last 72 hours San Diego Sector has seized over 117 pounds of lethal narcotics worth more than $1,300,000,” said Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke. “Thankfully these dangerous drugs will not reach our local communities.”