U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Paso Del Norte international crossing in El Paso seized 16.2 pounds of methamphetamine and 2.2 pounds of fentanyl hidden in a vehicle. The drugs were discovered on Wednesday, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
An 18-year-old U.S. citizen attempted to smuggle contraband into the United States while driving a 2008 Nissan Altima from Mexico. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers flagged the vehicle for further inspection. U.S. Customs and Border Protection El Paso Port Director Arnie Gomez stated, "History has shown that smuggling organizations will use almost anyone to move their contraband into the United States." He noted that individuals involved in such activities include teens, senior citizens, families, and single travelers.
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection drug-sniffing dog detected narcotics in a vehicle, prompting officers to conduct a Z-Portal scan, which revealed anomalies in the doors. A search uncovered 14 bundles of methamphetamine and one package of fentanyl. The driver was taken into custody and transferred to Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation. He faces federal charges related to drug importation.
