On September 16, 2024, at approximately 1:20 p.m., U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Calexico East Port of Entry made a significant drug bust, seizing around 120 pounds of blue fentanyl pills concealed throughout a vehicle. The discovery occurred during a routine inspection when a 27-year-old woman driving a white sedan attempted to cross the border through the port’s vehicle SENTRI lane.
CBP officers, noticing suspicious signs during the initial check, referred the vehicle and its driver for a secondary examination. Utilizing advanced non-intrusive inspection technology, CBP officers detected anomalies in the vehicle. This prompted a further investigation, with the assistance of a CBP K9 unit. The K9 team quickly signaled the presence of narcotics inside the car.
In a thorough inspection, officers uncovered 82 packages of fentanyl pills hidden within the vehicle’s door panels, quarter panels, spare tire, and firewall. Laboratory testing confirmed that the packages contained fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid. The total weight of the seized pills was approximately 120 pounds.
Roque Caza, the Port Director for the Area Port of Calexico, commended the officers involved, stating, “Our officers have successfully intercepted a substantial quantity of blue fentanyl pills, thwarting a significant threat to community safety. I am immensely proud of our officers whose continued commitment and relentless vigilance have been instrumental in disrupting drug smuggling along our southern borders.”
The narcotics and the vehicle were immediately seized by CBP officers, while the driver was handed over to Homeland Security Investigations for further processing. This interception forms part of Operation Apollo, a joint regional initiative involving federal, state, and local agencies, all working together to combat the growing threat of fentanyl and other synthetic narcotics in the region.
This latest seizure highlights the ongoing efforts of CBP and their partners in Operation Apollo to prevent the smuggling of dangerous drugs, safeguarding communities on both sides of the border.–News Desk