Border Patrol arrests L.A. man allegedly hauling $3.5 million in cocaine, marijuana

Border Patrol agents arrested a Los Angeles man allegedly hauling more than 315 pounds of cocaine and 570 pounds of marijuana valued at $3.5 million, federal authorities said Tuesday.

The 35-year-old man was stopped Friday night at a checkpoint on Interstate 8 near Pine Valley in eastern San Diego County for a routine inspection as he drove a truck with a trailer, the Department of Homeland Security said.

The man's name was not released. He was described as a U.S. citizen.

Agents were alerted by a drug-sniffing dog. During a secondary inspection, agents found the drugs hidden behind a metal and plywood false wall, authorities said.

The man and drugs were turned over to the federal Drug Enforcement Administration.

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— Robert J. Lopez

Twitter: @LAJourno

Photo: False wall where drugs were hidden. Credit: Department of Homeland Security.