OCEANSIDE — Repeated cell phone use, random lane changes, exaggerated movements and excessive speeds while approaching a border checkpoint are signs to law enforcement that a motorist may be trafficking people or drugs, a United States Border Agent testified March 20.

Agent Joel Lopez said he was three to four miles south of the Interstate 5 checkpoint at San Onofre, which was not operational at the time, performing a routine patrol around 9:30 a.m. March 5 when he encountered Jose Ricardo Reynosa traveling in a Honda mini-van exhibiting “common smuggling mannerisms.”

As he followed Reynosa in his unmarked patrol car, Lopez said the driver was traveling around 85 mph and looking around, almost “panicky,” in addition to the aforementioned actions.

Believing Reynosa was up to no good, Lopez said he radioed ahead to a marked patrol unit “perched” at the checkpoint.

“Everything in totality told me something illegal was going on,” the agent testified.

Within minutes of Reynosa being pulled over, he consented to a vehicle search, Agent William Tracy testified. Just prior to Reynosa stopping, Tracy said the defendant’s behavior — becoming stiff, rigid and appearing nervous — was consistent with someone who had something to hide.

Tracy said upon inspection of the vehicle, 318 pounds of marijuana was found packaged into several nylon bags in the cargo area of the mini-van.

Reynosa, 26, is charged with one felony count each of drug trafficking and possession.

Before setting a May 8 trial date, Superior Court Judge Joan Weber denied Reynosa’s motion to dismiss the charges based on an illegal stop and detention.

Deputy Public Defender Jack Campbell had argued that he believed the agents pulled his client over on nothing more than a “hunch” and then detained him illegally when he was asked to turn off his ignition.

If convicted, Reynosa faces up to four years in prison, said Deputy District Attorney Jonathan Oliphant after the hearing.

Reynosa remains in custody in lieu of $60,000