SAN CLEMENTE–U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested two women Thursday suspected of smuggling narcotics in two separate events.
The first incident occurred on Thursday at approximately 9:30 a.m., when Border Patrol agents patrolling on Interstate 5 near San Clemente encountered a woman driving a 2010 Chevy Silverado.
During questioning, agents conducted an exterior search of the vehicle with a Border Patrol K-9, resulting in an alert. Agents conducted a further search of the vehicle and discovered two packages wrapped in plastic in a bag on the front seat.
The contents of the packages were tested and proved positive for the characteristics of heroin. The weight of the packages totaled 4.6 pounds, with an estimated street value of $48,300. The 23-year-old United States citizen woman, along with the heroin, were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation. The Silverado was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.
The second event occurred later that day, at approximately 12:30 p.m., when agents encountered a 29-year-old United States citizen woman in a 2005 Honda Pilot near Aliso Creek rest area on Interstate 5.
Agents conducted a Border Patrol K-9 sniff on the vehicle which resulted in an alert. Agents conducted a further search of the vehicle and found 11 cellophane packages concealed in the rear differential. The packages were tested and proved positive for the characteristics of illegal narcotics. Three packages tested positive for fentanyl, while 8 tested positive for methamphetamine.
The fentanyl totaled 7.49 pounds with an estimated street value of $90,100. The methamphetamine totaled 4.8 pounds with an estimated street value of $11,040. The woman and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation. The Honda Pilot was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.
Fiscal year 2019 to date, the San Diego Sector has seized approximately 2,315 pounds of methamphetamine, 64 pounds of fentanyl, and over 3000 ounces of heroin with a combined estimated street value of over $9.2 million.
