United States Border Patrol Chief, Jason Owens, recently took to social media to announce that agents in Indio, California, had successfully seized over 40 pounds of methamphetamine. The announcement was made on the platform formerly known as Twitter.
Owens shared details of the operation: "1/23: USBP agents in Indio, CA seized 43.8 lbs. of methamphetamine at a checkpoint. The driver was previously arrested for narcotics smuggling and will be prosecuted again. DYK: Checkpoints are a crucial layer of defense in our efforts to keep these dangers out of your community."
In another instance in October, agents thwarted an attempt to smuggle $1.1 million worth of fentanyl across state lines, according to a news release from Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Agents from the Indio Station Strike Team spotted an SUV speeding past them on Interstate 10 and pursued it for 12 miles as the driver attempted to evade capture by weaving through traffic.
The occupants of the vehicle, an 18-year-old Mexican citizen who was driving and an 18-year-old U.S. citizen passenger, were apprehended after a K9 unit detected anomalies in the floorboard and gas tank. The couple claimed they were en route to Arizona to visit family but gave conflicting accounts when questioned separately about their destination.
According to the CBP news release, agents discovered several plastic-wrapped packages inside the gas tank upon inspection. A more thorough search revealed 60 packages filled with blue pills that tested positive for fentanyl. This seizure resulted in the confiscation of 99.5 pounds of narcotics with an estimated street value of $1.1 million.
CBP Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner Troy Miller commented on these ongoing efforts against drug trafficking in a news release: "In my 30 years as a customs official, the trafficking of synthetic illicit drugs like fentanyl is one of the toughest, most daunting challenges I have ever seen. Through this updated strategy, we will channel the incredible efforts of the men and women of CBP to keep this and other drugs out of the country."
