Earlier this month, a K-9 unit assisted agents from the El Centro Sector Border Patrol in uncovering liquid meth concealed within the gas tank of a vehicle driven by a 39-year-old motorist. The drugs seized are estimated to have a street value of $250,000.
U.S. Border Patrol Chief Gregory K. Bovino stated, "New year, same mission. So far this week, El Centro Sector seized approximately -166.8 lbs. of liquid meth -9.26 lbs. of fentanyl -24 grams of mushrooms -20 oz. of liquid codeine That is over $1.2 million of dangerous drugs prevented from entering our communities."
The incident unfolded at approximately 4:45 p.m. on Jan. 13, according to a news release by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). A K-9 unit working at the Highway 86 Immigration checkpoint alerted agents to an anomaly on the driver side wheel well of a pickup truck during inspection. Upon further investigation at secondary inspection, agents discovered an unusual substance within the gas tank which was later identified as methamphetamine.
The vehicle was being driven by a Mexican man who was subsequently arrested for transporting controlled substances, as per the CBP news release. The Drug Enforcement Administration has taken over the investigation and has assumed custody of both the drug and vehicle.
In a report by CBP, it was revealed that agents have encountered 617,865 individuals since the start of this fiscal year on Oct. 1, 2023. During this period, they have confiscated a total of 3,888 pounds of marijuana along with 166 pounds of cocaine, nine pounds of heroin, 1,806 pounds of methamphetamine and 456 pounds of fentanyl.
In another incident last October involving narcotics seizure by Border Patrol agents and their K-9 partners in Tucson Sector near Amado resulted in confiscation of significant amounts drugs as reported by a CBP news release. The agents discovered four abandoned duffel bags near the Interstate 19 immigration checkpoint on Oct. 5, which contained 71 pounds of meth valued at $63,796 and 63.3 pounds of fentanyl estimated to be worth $416,150.
John R. Modlin, Tucson Sector Chief Patrol Agent, commented on the seizure stating, "This narcotics seizure is significant. It not only demonstrates the hard work of this dedicated canine team but also illustrates the need for our agents to be in the field, doing what they do best. In this case, that’s keeping dangerous drugs from reaching our nation’s communities."
