El Centro Border Patrol agents have successfully removed approximately 20,000 fentanyl pills from circulation. The announcement was made by Chief Patrol Agent Gregory K. Bovino, who stated that the operation involved cooperation with local law enforcement agencies and resulted in the arrest of a U.S. citizen.
"In a collaborative effort with our other law enforcement partners, we intercepted 20,000 fentanyl pills headed to the streets and neighborhoods of this country," said Bovino. He added that "A 22-year-old U.S. citizen who was transporting this poison was also arrested."
The El Centro Sector has been at the forefront of efforts to curb fentanyl trafficking. In October, agents thwarted an attempt by a couple 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 observed an SUV speeding past them on Interstate 10 and pursued it for 12 miles despite the driver's attempts to evade capture by weaving through traffic.
The vehicle's occupants, an 18-year-old Mexican citizen driver 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 news release, agents discovered several plastic-wrapped packages inside the gas tank upon inspection. These packages contained 60 parcels filled with blue pills that tested positive for fentanyl. The seizure amounted to approximately 99.5 pounds of narcotics with an estimated street value of $1.1 million.
Reflecting on his three-decade career as a customs official, CBP Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner Troy Miller commented on the challenge posed by synthetic illicit drugs like fentanyl: "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." He added that "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."
