A U.S. citizen was apprehended late Wednesday when Border Patrol agents discovered a stash of fentanyl pills worth an estimated $130,000 hidden in luggage, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
The bust occurred around 6:30 p.m. at an immigration checkpoint on Highway 86 outside of Indio, California. A ride-share taxi with four passengers was stopped, and, after a border patrol K-9 alerted to the vehicle's trunk the agents found several bags inside, a CBP news release stated. The dog signaled again, this time to a backpack and a speaker one passenger claimed, prompting a search that revealed the narcotics.
A sample from the packages tested positive for fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid that is a major contributor to the nationwide overdose crisis. The total haul weighed in at 9.7 pounds. CBP indicated that the suspect, whose identity has not been released, was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration along with the narcotics, as reported by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
The operation was part of Operation Apollo, a coordinated effort by federal, state, and local agencies to tackle the flow of fentanyl, and other synthetic drugs into the United States. More details about the ongoing operation can be found on the CBP website, which chronicles the wide-ranging efforts to protect the nation's borders and curb the tide of illegal narcotics smuggling.
For further information on Border Patrol activities and seizures, CBP encourages the public to follow their updates on their official Twitter accounts, @CBPElCentro and @USBPChiefELC, or on Instagram under the handle @USBPChiefELC. As the unified border agency under the Department of Homeland Security, CBP plays a crucial role in the management and protection of U.S. borders by integrating various functions including customs, immigration, and agriculture at ports of entry.
