TEMECULA, Calif. — Border Patrol agents arrested a man who had more than 65 lbs. of cocaine hidden inside his truck on Friday.

On Dec.13 at approximately 8:50 a.m., agents on Interstate 15 near Temecula observed a man in a 2011 Dodge Ram truck driving erratically and initiated a vehicle stop. After an agency K-9 alerted to the vehicle, agents searched the truck and located two metal boxes embedded in the seats.

Inside the boxes were a total of 25 plastic-wrapped packages containing narcotics. Agents tested the packages and discovered they contained cocaine. The drugs weighed 65.36 pounds and had an estimated street value of $653,600.

Agents uncover 25 packages of

cocaine worth more than $650,000.

The man, a 27-year-old Mexican national with a valid B1/B2 visa, was placed under arrest. The narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration and the vehicle was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.

Since October 1, 2019, San Diego Sector has seized approximately 169 pounds of cocaine with an estimated street value of $1,690,000.

To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on corridors of egress away from our Nation’s borders. To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.