San Diego Sector Border Patrol agents seized over 38 pounds of fentanyl during a vehicle stop on Interstate 5 earlier this month. The narcotics, found in pill form, have an estimated street value of $1.7 million.

Patricia D. McGurk-Daniel, Chief Patrol Agent at U.S. Border Patrol, reported the incident saying, "38 pounds of fentanyl were discovered inside a tire during a vehicle stop near San Clemente, CA on the 18th. That's enough to kill more than 8 million people. #USBP is committed to stopping criminals who traffic this deadly drug."

According to a news release from Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the seizure occurred on Jan. 18 when agents from the San Clemente Border Patrol Station stopped a gray sedan heading north on Interstate 5 near the Vista Hermosa Highway exit. A canine team alerted agents to a possible narcotic presence near the trunk of the sedan. Upon inspection, agents noted that a spare tire was unusually heavy. The motorists and car were taken to the San Clemente Border Patrol Station for further inspection which revealed 15 cellophane-wrapped packages containing blue pills within the spare tire.

The news release stated that a field test confirmed that these pills contained fentanyl. According to Facts About Fentanyl, a publication by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), one kilogram of fentanyl has the potential to kill half a million people. The motorist and drugs were handed over to DEA for federal prosecution while Border Patrol agents confiscated the sedan.

McGurk-Daniel reiterated her commitment saying, "Even in small amounts, this deadly drug can cause havoc on the people who fall victim. 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."

In fiscal year 2023, according to the release, San Diego Sector Border Patrol agents seized 1,802 pounds of methamphetamine, 2,100 pounds of cocaine, 111 pounds of heroin and 1,285 pounds of fentanyl.