Agents from the U.S. Border Patrol's San Clemente Station seized a substantial amount of cocaine on Interstate 5 last week. The incident occurred last Wednesday around 12:30 p.m. when agents stopped a compact sedan near the Las Pulgas exit.

A K-9 team conducted a search and alerted agents to possible narcotics in the vehicle. Upon inspection, agents found plastic-wrapped bundles in the trunk, consistent with smuggled drugs. The driver, an adult male Mexican citizen, along with the suspected narcotics and vehicle, were taken to a nearby station for further investigation.

At the station, 25 packages wrapped in cellophane tested positive for cocaine, weighing a total of 68.45 pounds. The driver and drugs were handed over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for federal prosecution while the vehicle was seized by U.S. Border Patrol.

San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Patricia McGurk-Daniel stated, "Smugglers don’t take the holiday season off and neither do we. We will remain vigilant and stop these dangerous drugs from entering our communities."

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is described as America's frontline defense and includes over 65,000 personnel dedicated to protecting America across various domains while facilitating lawful travel and trade.