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California Border Patrol seize deadly drugs near Temecula checkpoint

22 pounds of fentanyl were found, which is enough doses to kill more than five million people.
Credit: California Border Patrol

TEMECULA, Calif. — Border Patrol agents arrested a man on Wednesday evening who they say had fentanyl and cocaine hidden inside his car. Agents say shortly after 5:15 p.m. on Oct. 9, they stopped a car that was driving suspiciously.

During the inspection the agents noticed the backseat headrests were unusually solid and when they searched, they found two metal boxes inside the headrests.

Inside the boxes were a total of 12 plastic-wrapped packages containing drugs. Nine of the packages contained fentanyl and weighed 22 pounds, which is enough doses to kill more than 5 million people. The remaining three packages contained cocaine and weighed 2.64 pounds. The drugs carry a combined estimated street value of $236,400.

“This represents a significant seizure for San Diego Sector,” said Chief Patrol Agent Douglas Harrison. “This dangerous combination of drugs will not reach our local communities and we have stopped another citizen who is engaged in drug smuggling.”

The man, a 54-year-old U.S. citizen, was placed under arrest. The drugs were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration and the vehicle was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol.

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