CBP: Man arrested with $500K in cocaine while traveling with wife and infant

SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. (KYMA, KECY)- A man was arrested last Thursday after agents said they found half-a-million dollars' worth of cocaine in his vehicle while traveling with his wife and infant son.

The Customs and Border Protection said the couple was approached in San Clemente, Calif., by agents.

CBP said agents then asked for their permission to search their vehicle.

After the couple agreed, agents discovered a duffel bag in the trunk of the car containing 20 brick-shaped packages of cocaine.

According to CBP, agents also discovered an additional package of cocaine inside a shopping bag near the infant's car seat.

Agents said the 21 bundles of cocaine weighed 51.25 pounds with an estimated street value of $512,500.

While the driver was being questioned, the mother said she needed to use the restroom along with her infant and went into the shopping center.

CBP said they did not return but agents were able to locate them a quarter-mile away. The family was taken to a nearby Border Patrol station for further investigation.

The driver, a 34-year-old U.S. citizen, was placed under arrest. The drugs and the vehicle were turned over to the Orange County Drug Enforcement Administration office.

The mother and the child were released.