U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Calexico East Port of Entry made a significant narcotics seizure last week. Over 100 pounds of blue fentanyl pills were found hidden inside a vehicle driven by a 27-year-old woman, according to a CBP press release.
The incident occurred last Monday at around 1:20 p.m. when the woman's white sedan was stopped for inspection. After an initial inspection, officers decided to refer both the driver and the vehicle for a more thorough check. Non-intrusive inspection technology quickly revealed strange irregularities, indicating the possibility of something concealed within the car's structure.
A K9 unit signaled that narcotics could be present, prompting further exploration by the officers. They then discovered and extracted 82 packages from the sedan's doors, quarter panels, spare tire, and firewall. These were later confirmed to test positive for fentanyl, altogether weighing approximately 120 pounds.
"Our officers have successfully intercepted a substantial quantity of blue fentanyl pills, thwarting a significant threat to community safety," Roque Caza, Port Director of the Area Port of Calexico, stated, as per the U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The reporting highlights the critical role CBP officers play in efforts to combat drug smuggling along the U.S. southern border.
The narcotics and the vehicle were seized, and the driver has been handed over to Homeland Security Investigations for further inquiry. This seizure is linked to Operation Apollo, a joint operation that involves various federal, state, and local agencies working together to address the ongoing threat posed by fentanyl and other illicit synthetic drugs.
