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  4. CBP Intercepts 359 lbs of Phenobarbital Tablets

CBP Intercepts 359 lbs of Phenobarbital Tablets

Release Date
Mon, 03/21/2016

Importer fails to notify DEA of transshipment

DALLAS – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport seized 250,000 Phenobarbital tablets valued at $140,000, March 7.

CBP officers seized 250,000 Phenobarbital tablets illegally transiting through the U.S.

CBP officers seized 250,000 Phenobarbital tablets illegally transiting through the U.S.

Phenobarbital is a Schedule IV controlled drug.

“This seizure which began with the review of entry documents and resulted in the seizure of more than 350 pounds of a Scheduled IV controlled drug is indicative of the careful attention to detail CBP officers employ to enforce hundreds of U.S. laws on behalf of other federal agencies,” said CBP Port Director Cleatus P. Hunt Jr.

CBP officers discovered the 12 boxes of Phenobarbital tablets when they selected the shipment for inspection. CBP officers examined the boxes and found more than 350 pounds of the Schedule IV narcotic. Since U.S. laws requires importers to notify the Drug Enforcement Administration 15 days in advance for any transshipments of Schedule IV drugs, CBP verified with DEA and discovered no such advance notice was provided.

The shipment originated in Taiwan and was transiting through the U.S. destined for Nicaragua when CBP officers seized it.

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 the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021