Border Crisis: Officers Seizes Over $480,000 in Narcotics in One Vehicle

MURRIETA, Calif – San Diego Sector Border Patrol agents seized nearly 126 pounds of narcotics with a value of approximately $483,000 from a single vehicle stop last week.

On Friday at approximately 11 a.m., agents assigned to the Newton-Azrak Border Patrol Station conducted a vehicle stop on an SUV just north of the Interstate 15 U.S. Border Patrol checkpoint in Murrieta. The subsequent investigation and search of the vehicle resulted in the seizure of 99 pounds of methamphetamine, and 27 pounds of cocaine. The total seizure has an estimated street value of $483,000.

The vehicle was seized by U.S. Border Patrol. The 26-year-old male suspect, and narcotics were turned over the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office.

“Criminal organizations only focus on profit, regardless of the effect these dangerous drugs have on the community,” said San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Aaron M. Heitke. “Our Border Patrol agents remain vigilant, day and night, to intercept these poisons and the smugglers who transport them.”

In fiscal year 2022, San Diego Sector Border Patrol agents seized approximately 14,000 pounds of narcotics. In fiscal year-to-date 2023, over 1,300 pounds of drugs have been seized.