Mexican national arrested trying to smuggle marijuana ashore on surfboard
A 30-year-old Mexican national was arrested while trying to smuggle 24 pounds of marijuana ashore on a surfboard, the U.S. Border Patrol said.
The suspect was spotted Sunday morning paddling north about 200 yards off Imperial Beach, near the Mexican border. When agents ordered the surfer to come ashore, he threw a blue duffel bag into the water, the Border Patrol said. Agents went into the water to make the arrest.
The bag later washed ashore, containing five packages of marijuana with an estimated street value of $74,400, agents said. The suspect, whose name was not released, admitted that he was in the U.S. illegally, agents said.
Since Oct. 1, 2008, Border Patrol agents have seized more than 14,000 pounds of marijuana in the San Diego area.
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