Three men were arrested on suspicion of drug smuggling after U.S. Border Patrol agents intercepted two vehicles at the I-5 checkpoint in San Clemente, according to a CBP news release.
Twenty-three pounds of drugs, valued at about $160,000, along with various drug products geared toward children were uncovered in the bust on Wednesday.
In the first incident, two men arrived at the checkpoint at 1 a.m.
Agents received permission to search the vehicle after the passenger admitted he had medical marijuana inside a prescription bottle.
Agents uncovered three sealed boxes in the truck containing lollipops, hard candy and cookies laced with THC, the main active ingredient in marijuana.
In addition to the drug-laced candy, 15 marijuana e-cigarette cartridges, three marijuana cigars and 12.68 pounds of bulk marijuana were inside the vehicle.
In a separate incident around 4 p.m. the same day, agents uncovered six bundles of methamphetamine and two bundles of cocaine hidden within the rear seats of the vehicle.
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Border Patrol agents arrested the three U.S. citizens and turned over the suspects and narcotics to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
Although Border Patrol does not consider this a "large seizure," they do believe it is "undoubtedly dangerous," said spokesperson Gerardo Gutierrez.
