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  4. Agents Find Enough Fentanyl to kill 200,000 People

Agents Find Enough Fentanyl to kill 200,000 People

Release Date
Fri, 11/13/2020

YUMA, Ariz. – Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Wellton Station arrested two U.S. citizens after finding over a pound of fentanyl pills hidden under the passenger seat of the car they were driving through the Interstate 8 immigration checkpoint Thursday morning.

Fentanyl
Border Patrol agents seized  $18,500
worth of fentanyl.

Agents sent a Chevrolet Malibu to the checkpoint’s secondary inspection area at approximately 10 a.m. following a canine alert. While in secondary, a search of the vehicle revealed two plastic bags full of fentanyl pills wrapped in a hospital gown and hidden under the front passenger seat.  The fentanyl pills, which weighed 1.276 pounds, were valued at $18,500. 

In addition to arresting the two vehicle occupants, agents also seized the narcotics and the vehicle.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is 50-100 times more potent than heroin, oxycodone and morphine. Just two to three milligrams of fentanyl can kill a person. The amount of fentanyl found in the vehicle is equal to 578,783 milligrams.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021