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Border Patrol agents seize $1.5M in cocaine near Calif. checkpoint

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents seized more than 100 pounds of cocaine after a driver attempted to elude a checkpoint inspection

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Nearly 1.5 million in cocaine found in the rear cargo area of a smuggling vehicle near a checkpoint in Temecula Tuesday, June 13.

Photo/U.S. Customs and Border Protection

Associated Press

TEMECULA, Calif. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents seized more than 100 pounds of cocaine after a driver attempted to elude a checkpoint inspection in Southern California.

Officials say the 46-year-old man sped away when his SUV was referred to a secondary inspection area along Interstate 15 in Temecula.

The suspect led agents on a pursuit into a residential area. He ran from his vehicle but was caught when an agent used a stun gun.

The Riverside Press-Enterprise says the cocaine has an estimated value of about $1.5 million.

Agents discovered 37 bundles stashed inside a speaker box and plastic container in the SUV’s rear cargo area.