U.S. Border Patrol Seizes Cash And Meth

U.S. Border Patrol is reporting that it seized cash and methamphetamine during two separate nearby incidents that took place Thursday.

According to the agency, the first incident was a narcotics smuggling attempt near San Clemente that resulted in the seizure of more than 22 pounds of meth. In that case, around 9:30 a.m. agents stopped a 34-year-old male U.S. citizen driving a 1995 Toyota Previa on Interstate 5.

"A Border Patrol K-9 was summoned to the scene and performed a cursory inspection of the vehicle resulting in an alert," according to a news release from the agency. "Agents searched the front bumper area and discovered two bundles of methamphetamine near the frame rails."

According to the news release, the narcotics weighed 22.27 pounds and had an estimated street value of $445,400. 

"The suspected smuggler and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further investigation. The vehicle was seized by the U.S. Border Patrol," the news release stated.

In a second incident, which occurred at approximately the same time, agents patrolling Interstate 15 confiscated more than $270,000 in U.S. currency.

In that case, agents flagged a 22-year-old male U.S. citizen driving a white 2002 Honda Accord in the southbound lanes of Interstate 15. 

"A Border Patrol K-9 alerted to the vehicle and a search revealed $270,780 in U.S. currency in the passenger-side quarter panels," according to the news release. "The suspect and seven bundles of currency were taken into custody and subsequently turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation."

It is unclear where the money may have come from and whether the man committed a crime.