Federal authorities seized nearly $700,000 in illegal drugs Saturday morning at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection checkpoint on Interstate-5 south of San Clemente, according to a department press release.
A 23-year-old man was arrested after officials found more than 30 pounds of methamphetamine and heroin hidden inside the spare tire-well of his vehicle.
Agents stopped the man for displaying a “nervous demeanor” around 7:45 a.m. during the routine, but random, highway checks. Through a K-9 unit inspection, agents found a single bundle of heroin and 29 bundles of methamphetamine. The 31.2 pounds of methamphetamine seized had an estimated street value of $624,000 and the heroin, which weighed 3.9 pounds, a value of about $54,000.
The alleged smuggler and narcotics were taken into custody and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation.
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