U.S. Border Patrol agents confiscated nearly $10 million worth of cocaine during two vehicle searches conducted just three minutes apart at a Southern California checkpoint, officials said.
The inspections at the San Clemente Border Patrol checkpoint resulted in the seizure of more than 1,435 pounds of suspected cocaine, with an estimated street value of $9.8 million, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The two vehicles were referred for secondary inspection on Oct. 25 after San Diego Sector agents noticed what they described as suspicious behavior. One driver, authorities said, tried to back out of the checkpoint.
A Border Patrol canine alerted agents to both vehicles. A subsequent search uncovered 550 vacuum-sealed packages hidden inside black garbage bags.
CBP OFFICERS SEIZE OVER $2.8M IN COCAINE AND METH IN BACK-TO-BACK BUSTS AT CALIFORNIA PORT OF ENTRY
Border Patrol agents seized more than 1,435 pounds of suspected cocaine, valued at $9.8 million, during two vehicle inspections conducted three minutes apart at a Southern California checkpoint. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
Field testing produced presumptive positive results for cocaine, CBP reported.
“This seizure puts us on pace for a record year in narcotics interdictions at the San Clemente checkpoint,” San Clemente Station Patrol Agent in Charge J.D. Scott said in a statement.
“A few years ago, our agents were deployed to the immediate border and processed hundreds of illegal aliens,” Scott said. “With illegal border entries in San Diego at all-time lows, we now have the agents needed to keep our checkpoint open longer and to maintain a strong Border Patrol presence along our I-5 corridor.”
CBP OFFICERS SEIZE $67 MILLION IN ILLEGAL DRUGS AT SAN DIEGO BORDER PORTS, DHS SAYS
Authorities found 550 vacuum-sealed packages of suspected cocaine concealed in black garbage bags during inspections at the San Clemente checkpoint on Oct. 25, 2026. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
Both drivers were taken into custody. The Drug Enforcement Administration assumed control of the suspects and the suspected drugs as the case moves toward federal prosecution.
The arrests occurred as the Trump administration advances a broader campaign targeting drug cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, human-smuggling operations and drug-trafficking networks.
Officials discovered 550 vacuum-sealed packages of suspected cocaine hidden in black garbage bags inside two vehicles at a California Border Patrol checkpoint. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
In a separate case in May, authorities in the Southern District of California seized more than a ton of cocaine, estimated to be worth $45 million, in an investigation tied to an alleged cross-border drug tunnel.
