Cocaine seized near Temecula; 2 arrested

 
By Susan Shroder
Wednesday, May 11, 2011 at 5:59 p.m.
Bundles of cocaine were found in a Mitsubishi Galant.
Two Mexican citizens were arrested Tuesday off Interstate 15 near Temecula after U.S. Border Patrol agents found nearly 30 pounds of cocaine in their car.
Agents pulled over the 2000 Mitsubishi Galant near the Rainbow Valley Road exit on north I-15 about 10 a.m. The 26 year-old driver and 37-year-old passenger were both found to be in the country illegally.
A Border Patrol K-9 team alerted to the car. Agents found 12 cellophane-wrapped bundles under the rear seat containing 29.6 pounds of cocaine. The estimated street value of the drug is $296,500, said Border Patrol Agent Scott E. Simon.
The men were arrested and turned over to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.