August 07, 2009  Pine Valley, California
U.S. Border Patrol agents seize 230 lbs of Marijuana from drug smugglers

In two separate incidents, U.S. Border Patrol agents and canine teams working at the Interstate 8 checkpoint near Pine Valley, arrested two suspected drug smugglers and seized a total of 230 pounds of marijuana.

The first incident occurred on August 7, 2009, when Border Patrol agents stopped a Toyota Corolla at the checkpoint. The 19-year-old male driver was directed to a secondary inspection where a Border Patrol canine team detected the possible presence of narcotics coming from the vehicle's trunk. Agents searched the trunk and found a suitcase and a large duffle bag, each stuffed with several bundles of marijuana. Agents also found several bundles of marijuana in the vehicle's empty spare tire compartment. A total of 36 bundles of marijuana were discovered, weighing approximately 174 pounds.

On August 8, a Border Patrol canine team detected the possible presence of narcotics coming from an Oldsmobile Alero, driven by a 45-year-old male. With the help of non-intrusive technology, agents discovered 12 bundles of marijuana hidden within the vehicle's rear bumper and eight bundles within its front bumper. The marijuana weighed approximately 56 pounds.

In both incidents the suspected smugglers, who are U.S. citizens, were arrested. They were turned over to a multi-agency, anti-drug task force, along with the marijuana.

Source: US Customs and Border Protection