U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers successfully thwarted two drug smuggling attempts at the Area Port of Calexico last week, seizing large quantities of fentanyl and methamphetamine hidden within air compressors.
On April 24, a 43-year-old man driving a white 2007 truck was referred for a secondary inspection upon entering the U.S. from Mexico. Utilizing non-intrusive imaging technology, CBP officers detected irregularities in an air compressor in the truck’s bed. A subsequent alert by a CBP K9 team led to the discovery of 11 packages containing 208.99 pounds of methamphetamine.
The second incident occurred on April 26, when a 31-year-old man in a blue 2005 truck underwent a similar inspection process. This time, officers uncovered 9 packages weighing 134.57 pounds, testing positive for both fentanyl and methamphetamine.
Both drivers were detained, and the cases have been handed over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for further action. The vehicles and narcotics were confiscated by CBP.
These operations are part of Operation Apollo, an initiative launched on October 26, 2023, to combat fentanyl trafficking. The program emphasizes intelligence gathering, inter-agency cooperation, and resource augmentation across California and Arizona to prevent the influx of fentanyl into the United States.
CBP remains committed to its role as America’s frontline in border management and national security, with over 65,000 personnel dedicated to ensuring the country’s safety and economic prosperity.–News Editor NA