Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers stationed at San Diego’s San Ysidro Port of Entry recently uncovered a significant stash of fentanyl pills, estimated to be worth over $11 million. The illicit substances were found hidden within a 2008 sedan. A CBP K9 unit indicated the potential presence of narcotics in the glove compartment area. Upon further inspection, officers discovered 100 packages containing blue pills concealed within the vehicle's dashboard.
According to the CBP news release, the preliminary inspection was initiated at 8:20 p.m., when a 37-year-old man, whose identity remains undisclosed, sought admission into the US from Mexico. As CBP officers carried out a secondary inspection of the sedan, they unearthed an astounding 561,000 pills stashed within the vehicle’s dashboard and passenger seats. These drugs weighed in excess of 123 pounds and held a street value of approximately $11,220,000. The CBP emphasized that this operation is part of Operation Apollo, a collaborative effort involving federal, state, and local entities aimed at targeting synthetic drugs and fentanyl.
"Fentanyl is a very lethal drug that continues to be encountered along our southern border. I’m very proud of the exceptional work by our officers who skillfully interdict illicit narcotics on a daily basis," stated Mariza Marin, director of the San Ysidro Port of Entry.
Operation Apollo was officially launched in October 2023 when CBP unveiled its comprehensive strategy to combat the opioid epidemic. "The Department of Homeland Security is combating the scourge of fentanyl and other illicit synthetic narcotics with every tool at our disposal. We have stopped more fentanyl in the last two years than in the previous five years combined and continue to optimize our intelligence and field operations to stop these deadly substances from hitting our streets. At the same time, we are cracking down on ruthless cartels and criminal organizations that are responsible. CBP plays a critical role, working together with our federal, state, and local partners, and this strategy builds on the tremendous talent of a workforce fiercely dedicated to protecting the American people," declared Alejandro N. Mayorkas, Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, in an October 26 news release.
The suspect involved in the February 25 incident was subsequently taken into custody by the Department of Homeland Security for further investigation. The vehicle and seized fentanyl were retained by CBP, as per the March 1 news release announcing the seizure.
