Border Patrol agents in California made a significant drug bust last week, discovering dozens of bundles filled with fentanyl pills worth millions of dollars hidden inside a vehicle. The incident occurred when agents with the San Diego Sector pulled over a 24-year-old woman driving a gray sedan northbound on Interstate 15 near Temecula. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported that during the stop, a Border Patrol dog alerted agents to the presence of drugs in the vehicle.
Further inspection of the sedan revealed that 62 bundles of blue pills were concealed inside its door panels and seats, all of which were later confirmed to be fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid. The total amount seized weighed 81.4 pounds, with an estimated street value of $3,692,000.00. The discovery highlights the ongoing battle against drug trafficking organizations profiting from the distribution of this dangerous substance.
The woman and the seized pills were turned over to the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office Special Investigations Bureau. While no further details about the woman or potential charges were provided, Chief Patrol Agent Patricia D. McGurk-Daniel commended the Border Patrol agents for their dedication to keeping America safe. She emphasized their commitment to disrupting and dismantling drug trafficking organizations involved in the fentanyl trade.
This seizure is part of Operation Apollo, a collaborative effort between federal, state, and local agencies aimed at combating the fentanyl threat in the United States. San Diego Sector Border Patrol agents have been particularly active in this mission, having already confiscated over 1,285 pounds of fentanyl during the current fiscal year.
The alarming scale of this drug seizure serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against the illicit drug trade and the importance of cooperative efforts by law enforcement agencies to protect the country from the devastating effects of fentanyl abuse.
