BLAINE, Wash. – While conducting surveillance during the evening of March 17, 2015, Blaine Border Patrol agents encountered a vehicle in a remote area east of Blaine, Washington. As agents made contact with the driver, they observed a backpack containing several plastic bags in plain view. Additional agents searched in the vicinity, and heard brush breaking, evidence that an individual was in the heavily wooded area retreating towards the international boundary. A K-9 was used to track the northbound pedestrian, locating him sitting on the ground in the wooded area. Upon further investigation, it was revealed that the subject had red markings on his shoulders, indicative of wearing a heavy backpack.
A K-9 alerted to the area of the rear passenger side door, where the backpack was located. The backpack was found to contain several zip lock bags containing vacuum-sealed freezer bags of granular powder. Further processing revealed that the backpack contained 23.14 kilograms of methylenedioxymeth-amphetamine (“MDMA”), commonly known as “Ecstasy.” The controlled substance is valued at $231,400.
“Our Nation’s borders are tested daily. The men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Blaine Sector work tirelessly to secure our great Nation. Working closely with ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations, we will continue to prevent these deadly drugs from reaching our communities,” stated Chief Patrol Agent Dan M. Harris, Jr.
Both subjects were determined to be citizens of Taiwan, one of whom had illegally entered the United States from Canada. The two subjects were processed for possession of MDMA with intent to distribute. The suspects were processed and turned over to ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations for federal prosecution.