

U.S. Border Patrol agents seized nearly half a million dollars worth of cocaine at a traffic checkpoint in San Diego County, officials said.

A 43-year-old male Mexican national driving a light blue BMW sport-utility vehicle pulled up to a checkpoint on Interstate 8 at about 10:30 a.m. Monday, and agents noticed he seemed nervous.

A K-9 unit smelled something near the driver's side door, where inspectors found 20 bundles of cocaine concealed inside, authorities said.

The cocaine weighed just more than 47 pounds, with an estimated street value of $470,900, according to the U.S. Border Patrol.

Officials said the alleged smuggler, who wasn't identified, was arrested and has been turned over to the federal Drug Enforcement Agency for investigation; the BMW was seized by the border patrol.

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Photo: Border Patrol agents seize 20 bundles of cocaine, with a street value of $470,000, from a BMW sport-utility vehicle at a traffic checkpoint in San Diego County. Credit: U.S. Border Patrol