Smuggling Attempt of Fentanyl Pills Worth $2.5 Million Thwarted by US Customs and Border Protection in California
US Customs and Border Protection officers in California have successfully intercepted an attempt to smuggle fentanyl pills with a street value exceeding $2.5 million.
The seizure occurred at the cargo facility at the Otay Mesa border crossing in San Diego after authorities noticed unusual activities within a shipment of sinks, according to a news release by CBP.
According to CBP, a 45-year-old man driving a white cargo van presented a valid border crossing card on June 26, along with a shipping manifest for two porcelain sinks.
The release states, “While screening the vehicle using a port imaging system, CBP officers discovered anomalies within the shipment.”
Further inspection of the shipment with a canine detection team revealed approximately 858,000 blue pills concealed within the two sinks, confirmed CBP.
The 12 packages, weighing around 189 pounds, tested positive for fentanyl, according to authorities.
The synthetic opioids, along with the cargo van, were seized by the officers. The driver was transferred to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations.
No additional information about the suspect was provided by the agency.
“Narcotics traffickers are constantly devising new and innovative methods to smuggle dangerous drugs across our borders, but CBP officers are always vigilant,” stated Rosa Hernandez, the port director for the Otay Mesa port of entry.
According to CBP data, US border protection officers have seized over 19,800 pounds of fentanyl so far in 2023.
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