U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Paso Del Norte international crossing in El Paso intercepted an attempt to smuggle fentanyl and methamphetamine concealed in a bicycle. The drugs were discovered in possession of a 32-year-old male U.S. citizen.
Ray Provencio, CBP El Paso Port Director, commented on the incident, stating, “History has shown that smugglers will employ any and all means in their efforts to introduce dangerous contraband into the United States.” He noted that the success of the operation was due to "the combination of CBP officers’ experience, high-technology tools, and canine support."
The interception occurred on April 9th, shortly after 3 p.m., when the man arrived from Mexico. A primary CBP officer became suspicious due to irregularities in the bicycle's appearance and referred the man for a secondary inspection. A CBP drug-sniffing dog indicated the presence of narcotics, prompting officers to use nonintrusive scanning systems, which revealed bundles concealed within the bike's frame.
Upon dismantling the bicycle, officers found two bundles hidden in a hollow space of the frame. These contained 0.18 pounds of fentanyl and 0.40 pounds of methamphetamine. The cyclist was arrested and handed over to Homeland Security Investigations special agents to face charges related to the importation of a controlled substance.
CBP, the nation’s largest law enforcement organization, is tasked with protecting the United States by managing its borders. It employs over 65,000 individuals who secure the country on land, at sea, and in the air, enhancing national security and economic prosperity. The organization emphasizes innovation, intelligence, collaboration, and trust in fulfilling its mission.
