Heroin, Fentanyl Found In Woman's Vehicle Battery: Temecula

TEMECULA, CA — A woman was arrested near Temecula by U.S. Border Patrol agents after she was allegedly found to be transporting illegal narcotics in her vehicle battery, the USBP reported Monday morning.

Agents pulled the U.S. citizen over Wednesday morning on I-15 near Temecula. It's unclear what led agents to a search, but when they did a K-9 "quickly alerted to the vehicle’s engine compartment," according to the USBP.

"Searching further, agents noticed signs of tampering on the vehicle’s battery. Shortly after, the driver admitted the battery contained illegal narcotics," the USBP reported.

Four packages found hidden inside the battery contained 9.26 pounds of heroin and 1.23 pounds of suspected fentanyl, according to the USBP.

The woman was arrested and her vehicle seized by the federal agency.

USBP San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke said drugs like heroin and fentanyl "destabilize communities by fueling addiction and creating dependence. Drug seizures like these emphasize a simple truth. Border security is national security.”