see also: in December 2008:   CBP Lists Top 10 Enforcement Events of 2008   CBP Seizes $200K in Undeclared Currency; Arrest 1 at Texas Port   Marfa Sector Agents Apprehend Murder Suspect   San Ysidro Port Modernization Deployment Temporarily Reduces Lanes   Border Patrol Agents Assist in Locating Distressed Individual   CBP Officers Stop Man at Michigan Border Crossing Wanted for Aggravated Sexual Assault   Holiday Surprise; CBP Unwraps 312 Pounds of Khat in December ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Bonsall, Calif. — Border Patrol agents discovered 214 pounds of marijuana concealed in the body of a Ford Mustang Wednesday morning on Interstate 15 northbound, near State Route 76 in Bonsall.

When the Ford Mustang was spotted at about 9:15 a.m., an agent observed two male occupants who appeared nervous. As the agent followed the vehicle, the driver of the Ford Mustang pulled over on the shoulder of Interstate 15 without being directed by the agent. The agent interviewed the vehicle’s occupants and upon observation of the vehicle, the agent suspected that it had an altered gas tank being used for illegal activity.

A search of the vehicle was conducted by a Border Patrol K-9, which alerted on the vehicle. Agents found a total 31 bundles of marijuana in the gas tank, and in the interior of the front fenders of the vehicle. Agents also found a box of nine millimeter ammunition hidden along with the narcotics.

Agents arrested the two occupants, both Mexican nationals, and later relinquished them along with the narcotics to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Coordinated enforcement operations provide a defense-in-depth posture for the Border Patrol to ultimately gain, maintain, and expand operational control of the border. Since fiscal year 2009 began on October 1, the Border Patrol seized 4,252 pounds of marijuana in San Diego Sector.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.