K9 Unit Busted Fentanyl Worth Over $1.7 Million in San Clemente, California
San Clemente, CA: San Diego Sector Border Patrol agents made a significant seizure of over 38 pounds of fentanyl during a vehicle stop on Interstate 5 Thursday afternoon.
In the afternoon of Jan. 18, agents from the San Clemente Border Patrol Station pulled over a grey sedan traveling northbound on Interstate 5 near the Vista Hermosa Highway exit. A Border Patrol canine team performed an air sniff of the vehicle and the canine detected the likely existence of drugs near the trunk.
Agents conducted a thorough search of the trunk and observed that the spare tire had an unusual weight. The vehicle and driver were taken to the San Clemente Border Patrol Station for further inspection by agents.
During a routine inspection at the station, authorities found 15 packages of blue pills concealed inside the spare tire, each one carefully wrapped in cellophane. Further tests of the pills revealed the presence of fentanyl. The pills were found to be quite heavy, weighing over 38 pounds.
It is estimated that they have a street value of $1,720,000. As per the Drug Enforcement Administration’s publication, a kilogram of fentanyl can cause the loss of life for up to half a million individuals.
The driver and narcotics were handed over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for federal prosecution. The vehicle was confiscated by the U.S. Border Patrol.
Also Read: Drug Busted in Iredell County Valued Over $3.7 Million, Two Placed in Custody
“Even in small amounts, this deadly drug can cause havoc on the people who fall victim,” said Chief Patrol Agent Patricia D. McGurk-Daniel. “The U.S. Border Patrol is committed to stopping these criminals and will continue to leverage all available resources to target and dismantle their organizations.”
This seizure is connected to the newly revealed Operation Apollo. Operation Apollo is a collaborative effort involving various government agencies at different levels to address the dangers posed by fentanyl and other illegal drugs.
In Fiscal Year 2023, Border Patrol agents in the San Diego Sector confiscated a significant amount of illegal drugs, including methamphetamine, cocaine, heroin, and fentanyl. Ensuring the security of our Nation’s borders remains a top priority for the U.S. Border Patrol.
To combat the illegal trafficking of humans, drugs, and other prohibited items, the agency maintains a constant state of alertness along key exit routes. If you come across any suspicious activity, please reach out to the U.S. Border Patrol’s San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.
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