Officials investigate death of US citizen detained by Border Patrol

The San Diego County Medical Examiner's office is investigating the cause of death of a man who collapsed in a Border Patrol holding cell on Christmas Eve after he was taken into custody for allegedly carrying three pounds of marijuana.

The Border Patrol said Saturday that the man, a U.S. citizen, was stopped at a checkpoint on Interstate 8, near the Mexican border.

He was taken to a holding cell after authorities said they found the marijuana, drug paraphernalia and traces of methamphetamine in his car.

Soon afterward he collapsed. Paramedics were unable to revive him.

The Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Investigator General is also investigating, said the Los Angeles Times. Border Patrol officials say they are cooperating with the investigation.

Officials didn't immediately release the man's name.

The Associated Press