USBP Vehicle Pursuit Leads to Meth & Heroin Seizure

TEMECULA, Calif. — Border Patrol agents arrested two men Wednesday night who fled from the Interstate 15 checkpoint north of San Diego.  Following a high speed pursuit and vehicle search, agents discovered 23 pounds of narcotics.

The incident began on Wednesday, April 1, at approximately 11:15 p.m., when two men in a white Chrysler 300 sedan approached the I-15 checkpoint near Temecula.

The male driver approached the primary inspection agent, and after a brief conversation, was directed to secondary inspection.  He then suddenly accelerated and sped off, ignoring all instructions to stop.  The Chrysler fled north towards Temecula as agents pursued. Agents attempted to stop the car near the Highway 79 exit, but the driver again refused to comply and continued to flee-reaching speeds of 120 miles per hour.

Following the vehicle, agents next deployed spike strips in an attempt to safely stop the vehicle near the Interstate 15 and 215 split.  One tire of the Chrysler rolled over the spikes, but did not puncture the tire.  The driver continued fleeing north toward Lake Elsinore.

As the pursuit continued, agents used a “boxing-in” maneuver, an offensive driving technique, to stop the vehicle near Railroad Canyon Drive.  As agents attempted the maneuver, the driver of the sedan deliberately rammed one of the Border Patrol vehicles.

Surrounding the vehicle with multiple patrol vehicles, agents slowed the vehicle to approximately 35 miles-per-hour and implemented a pursuit intervention technique, also known as a PIT maneuver, near Main Street and northbound I-15, and successfully stopped the vehicle.

The two men in the vehicle were taken into custody.  No injuries to the men in the sedan or agents were sustained. 

After a positive alert from a Border Patrol K-9, agents discovered a black trash bag in the back-seat of the Chrysler filled with methamphetamine and black-tar heroin.  The meth weighed 23.03 pounds and has an estimated street value of $51,817.  The heroin weighed 96.62 grams and has an estimated street value of $7,729.

The driver, a 25-year-old U.S. citizen, and passenger, a 23-year-old Mexican national, face multiple felony charges, including conspiracy to possess methamphetamine with intent to distribute.

The vehicle and narcotics were seized by Border Patrol.

To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on corridors of egress away from our Nation’s borders.  To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.