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  4. CBP Seizes $111,500 Worth of Fentanyl at Calexico West Port of Entry

CBP Seizes $111,500 Worth of Fentanyl at Calexico West Port of Entry

Release Date
Wed, 08/26/2020

CALEXICO, Calif.  – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Calexico West Port of Entry over the weekend discovered fentanyl pills hidden in various household items.

fentanyl
CBP officers discovered 26 packages of fentanyl
hidden in miscellaneous items, such as bars of soap,
hair cream, lotion, milk containers, bags of corn nuts
and a fire extinguisher.

“Narcotics interdiction continues to be a high priority at the Calexico ports of entry as demonstrated by this failed alleged smuggling attempt to hide fentanyl pills in miscellaneous items,” said Officer in Charge Sergio Beltran. “This was a great catch of a dangerous narcotic.”

At around 7 p.m. on Saturday, a 22-year-old woman driving a 2007 Acura TSX entered the border crossing. The CBP officer noticed inconsistencies in her story and referred her and the vehicle for a more intensive examination.

CBP officers utilized a K-9 team to screen the vehicle and the detector dog alerted to the trunk. CBP officers searched the vehicle and discovered 26 packages of fentanyl hidden in miscellaneous items, such as bars of soap, hair cream, lotion, milk containers, bags of corn nuts and a fire extinguisher.

CBP officers seized the fentanyl, almost 10 pounds with a street value of about $111,500 and the vehicle. Additionally, CBP officers arrested the woman, a U.S. citizen, and turned her over to Homeland Security Investigations.

Criminal charges are merely allegations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in a court of law.

CBP officers at the border crossings in Southern California routinely stop illegal activity, while processing millions of legitimate travelers into the United States. Those statistics can be found here: CBP-enforcement-statistics.

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: Oct 26, 2023