$500,000 worth of marijuana found inside overloaded SUV
source: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/vehicle-agents-marijuana-2609699-inside-handling
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MISSION VIEJO – More than 800 pounds of marijuana was found by U.S. border patrol agents inside an SUV.
The load of marijuana was enough weight to affect the way the vehicle was handling and drew the attention of agents, a Border Patrol spokesman said.
When agents stopped the vehicle along the 5 freeway Wednesday, they saw several bundles of marijuana inside the vehicle plain sight. In all, authorities seized 30 bundles of marijuana with an estimated street value of $503,712, authorities said.
The driver, a 25-year-old male Mexican national, was taken into custody, said spokesman Jerry Conlin. The man's name was not released.
Agents first spotted the 2002 Toyota Sequoia driving north on the 5 freeway at about 2 p.m., and followed the vehicle for about 20 minutes, Conlin said.
The SUV, carrying 839 pounds of marijuana inside, was handling oddly, catching the attention of agents.
"We have to develop a reasonable suspicion to stop the vehicle," he said.
The suspected smuggler has been turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The load of marijuana was enough weight to affect the way the vehicle was handling and drew the attention of agents, a Border Patrol spokesman said.
When agents stopped the vehicle along the 5 freeway Wednesday, they saw several bundles of marijuana inside the vehicle plain sight. In all, authorities seized 30 bundles of marijuana with an estimated street value of $503,712, authorities said.
The driver, a 25-year-old male Mexican national, was taken into custody, said spokesman Jerry Conlin. The man's name was not released.
Agents first spotted the 2002 Toyota Sequoia driving north on the 5 freeway at about 2 p.m., and followed the vehicle for about 20 minutes, Conlin said.
The SUV, carrying 839 pounds of marijuana inside, was handling oddly, catching the attention of agents.
"We have to develop a reasonable suspicion to stop the vehicle," he said.
The suspected smuggler has been turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
