Border Patrol Seizes 312 Pot Plants South of San Clemente

EDITOR'S NOTE: The following is the text of a press release from the U.S. Border Patrol.

U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Interstate 5 checkpoint in San Clemente arrested two male United States citizens Monday for transporting 312 marijuana plants.

At approximately 11:45 p.m., agents encountered the 29-year-old driver of a black 2001 Honda Civic and his 35-year-old passenger, as they arrived at the checkpoint.  During inspection, agents became suspicious of the driver’s nervous demeanor and referred them for a secondary inspection. 

A Border Patrol K-9 team was summoned and performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle resulting in a positive alert.

Upon further inspection, agents discovered 312 marijuana plants and 12 high-intensity light bulbs commonly used for indoor growing operations, in the trunk of the vehicle.

The suspected smugglers, vehicle, and marijuana growing paraphernalia were taken into custody and subsequently turned over to the San Diego Sheriff’s Department for processing and further investigation.