U.S. Border Patrol Makes Busts At 15 Freeway Checkpoint

A loaded gun, a half-pound of methamphetamine, and trace amounts of marijuana were among the alleged evidence U.S. Border Patrol agents confiscated during two separate stops Wednesday.

The first bust came shortly after 1:30 a.m. when agents stopped a GMC Yukon at the checkpoint located just south of Temecula.

According to U.S. Border Patrol spokeswoman Mary Beth Caston, the driver, a 31-year-old male U.S. citizen, and his female passenger, also 31, were questioned and their vehicle subsequently sniffed out by a police dog.

“A search of the vehicle revealed methamphetamine hidden in three locations: in the driver’s side door, in a suitcase, and under a towel. The methamphetamine weighed .52 pounds and had an estimated street value of $10,400,” Caston wrote in a released statement.

The driver and his passenger were placed into the custody of Murrieta agents for processing and prosecution, Caston stated.

Later in the morning at approximately 11:45 a.m., agents spotted a 2001 Nissan Sentra at the nearby checkpoint and referred the car for a secondary inspection, Caston continued.

A police dog alerted agents, so they consequently questioned the 23-year-old female driver and her male passenger.

“Both subjects indicated they were U.S. citizens. When questioned, the woman admitted she had marijuana inside the vehicle,” Caston wrote. “A search of the woman’s purse revealed trace amounts of marijuana and a Beretta 32-caliber handgun loaded with seven rounds.”

According to Caston, the woman admitted to carrying false identification and to being a Mexican national illegally present in the United States. She is being held in Department of Homeland Security custody pending removal proceedings. Her male passenger was released, Caston stated.