EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — A total of 97 grams of fentanyl hidden in the rectum of a 47-year-old man was seized this week at the Bridge of the Americas international crossing, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said in a news release.
On early Monday morning, May 12, CBP officers seized 40 grams of powdered fentanyl and 57 grams of fentanyl pills inside three small packages concealed in the rectum of a 47-year-old male U.S. citizen who was crossing the border as a pedestrian, the agency said.
CBP said the events leading to the seizure began shortly before 1:30 a.m. when the man arrived from Mexico as a pedestrian.
A CBP drug-sniffing dog screening arriving pedestrians alerted officers to the presence of drugs. Officers located a small amount of methamphetamine wrapped in foil in a bag the man was carrying, CBP said.
CBP said the man told officers that he was also transporting drugs internally. He was transported to a medical facility for an exam, which confirmed the presence of multiple objects internally concealed.
Medical staff monitored the man, and by 9:15 a.m., he had passed three bundles. The contents of the packages tested positive for fentanyl, CBP said.
CBP said the man was returned to the port of entry, where he was arrested and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations special agents to face federal charges associated with the failed smuggling attempt.
“Fentanyl is a dangerous drug, and any exposure could be deadly but when it is in a powder form the danger increases exponentially,” CBP El Paso Port Director Ray Provencio said. “Not only is the smuggler at risk but so is anyone else in the vicinity if the packaging would be compromised and the powder became airborne.”
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