SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to the Calexico West Port of Entry discovered 114 pounds of fentanyl pills and hundreds of bullets in two separate smuggling attempts in the past week.
The first incident occurred on Oct. 25, when CBP officers encountered a 26-year-old man driving a red sedan as it tried to enter United States from Mexico.
After the initial screening, officers directed the driver and the vehicle to secondary inspection further examination.
The driver and vehicle were subsequently screened using what CBP calls “non-intrusive inspection technology,” which revealed anomalies.
Fentanyl pills and ammunition found by U.S. Customs and Border Protection at the Calexico West Port of Entry last week. (Courtesy: CBP)
A K-9 team was brought in for further evaluation, and the dog alerted officers to the presence of narcotics.
CBP officers found a total of 44 packages concealed within the vehicle’s fender and bumper.
The contents tested positive and were identified as fentanyl weighing 114 pounds.
The second incident occurred two days later, also at the Calexico West Port of Entry.
CBP officers stopped an 18-year-old man driving a blue sedan.
During the inspection process, five packages were discovered hidden within the quarter panels containing 636 rounds of 7.62 mm caliber ammunition.
“These seizures are indicative of the exceptional performance our officers display day after day”, stated Roque Caza, Calexico Area Port Director. “Their vigilance and dedication make a significant difference in our communities by keeping illicit ammunition off the streets and keeping deadly narcotics like fentanyl away from the people we hold dear to our hearts.”
Suspects involved in the incidents were arrested and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations.
The narcotics, ammunition, and vehicles were seized by CBP officers and kept as evidence.
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