U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested two men on March 15, 2023 after 73 pounds of cocaine was found inside of their Jeep vehicle in Murrieta, CA.
The incident occurred at approximately 10:45 a.m., when agents patrolling Interstate 15 conducted a vehicle stop on a dark colored Jeep Liberty. While questioning the 31-year-old driver and 42-year-old passenger, an agency K-9 alerted to the Jeep.
Agents searched the vehicle and discovered 30 wrapped packages inside two duffle bags in the rear passenger seat. The brick shaped packages tested positive for cocaine. The narcotics have an estimated street value of $991,500.
The driver, passenger, and narcotics were turned over to the Inland Crackdown Allied Taskforce (INCA) for further investigation. The U.S. Border Patrol seized the vehicle.
Chief Patrol Agent Aaron M. Heitke said,
“Criminal organizations go to great lengths to conceal and smuggle dangerous narcotics in order to make millions of dollars. This is done without regard to the health and safety of our communities. I am proud of our Border Patrol agents’ vigilant efforts to keep this poison off our streets.”
