Border Patrol K-9, Agents Find 81 Lbs. Of Cocaine On I-15 In Temecula

TEMECULA, CA — After a motorist was pulled over this week by U.S. Border Patrol agents on Interstate 15 in Temecula, 81 pounds of cocaine were found stuffed behind the vehicle's dashboard, authorities reported.

The vehicle stop was made at about 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Aug. 20, by agents based out of Murrieta's Newton-Azrak Border Patrol Station.

It's unclear why the motorist was flagged as suspicious, but a Border Patrol K-9 was used to sniff out the vehicle. This led agents to a search that turned up 31 bundles of cellophane-wrapped cocaine stashed in a non-factory compartment behind the dashboard, according to the USBP.

The driver, passenger and narcotics were turned over to local authorities for prosecution under state charges. Suspect identities were not released.

The vehicle was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.

The Newton-Azrak Border Patrol Station located at 25762 Madison Avenue is overseen by the San Diego Sector Border Patrol. Since the start of the current fiscal year that began Oct. 1, San Diego Sector Border Patrol agents have seized 2,437 pounds of cocaine, according to USBP.

"This is a 300-pound increase from the previous fiscal year, during which agents seized 2,100 pounds of cocaine," USBP reported. "The sector has also seized 3,627 pounds of methamphetamine, 31 pounds of heroin, and 475 pounds of fentanyl."