U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers intercepted a woman attempting to smuggle drugs at the Paso Del Norte international crossing in El Paso on April 13. The woman, a 33-year-old U.S. citizen, had concealed fentanyl and methamphetamine internally.
CBP officers encountered a similar trend over the weekend, stopping a total of nine individuals at the PDN and Ysleta crossings who were ferrying these drugs from Mexico into the U.S.
“This is an exceptionally dangerous practice, and anyone thinking about smuggling drugs inside their body–or at all–should strongly reconsider their choices,” stated CBP El Paso Port Director Ray Provencio. He stressed the potential legal and health risks, including the danger of drug packaging rupturing.
The interception occurred after a CBP canine team identified the scent of narcotics on a pedestrian at the border crossing. Following standard procedure, the woman was selected for a secondary examination, prompting a Texas Department of Public Safety officer to obtain a search warrant for a medical examination. A CT scan at a medical center confirmed the presence of foreign objects.
The woman subsequently removed several bundles. Tests confirmed the presence of methamphetamine and fentanyl in the packages. The methamphetamine weighed 0.02786 kilograms, while the fentanyl in two different packages weighed 0.05212 kilograms and 0.03732 kilograms, respectively.
After the incident, both the drugs and the woman were handed over to the Texas Department of Public Safety for legal proceedings.
CBP is the largest law enforcement organization in the U.S., engaging in border management across land, air, and sea. Its mission includes ensuring national security, facilitating safe travel, and enhancing economic growth.
