Nearly 100 pounds of meth, cocaine stashed in car on 5 freeway in San Clemente

Border Patrol Agents arrested a woman after detection dogs found almost 100 pounds of methamphetamine and cocaine hidden in the car she was driving along the I-5 freeway in San Clemente on Wednesday, Oct. 17.

A K-9 unit was called to search a blue 2014 Ford Focus that agents had stopped about a mile north of the Cristianitos exit at about 8:40 a.m., according to a news release from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol. Thanks to the dog, authorities found more than 87 pounds of methamphetamine and nearly 12 pounds of cocaine stashed in the vehicle’s spare tire well, quarter panels and rear seats, the release said. Authorities estimated the street value of the drugs nearly at $450,000.

The driver was a 25-year-old Mexican national and a permanent resident card holder. She was arrested and turned over to Drug Enforcement Administration officials.

Wednesday’s arrest came one week after a Mexican police officer was apprehended by Orange County Sheriff’s deputies while attempting to transport 50 pounds of methamphetamine north on the same freeway.