U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents searched a white Chevy Equinox and found three bags containing packages wrapped in black tape and coated in axle grease, according to a press release.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents seized $4.3 million worth of fentanyl pills on Wednesday evening. The female driver, a US Citizen, will face drug charges.
Observant Ajo Station agents discovered $4.3 million in fentanyl pills during a vehicle stop near Gila Bend, AZ. Two U.S. citizen smugglers were turned over to @mcsoaz. #GoodWork
For more information: https://t.co/7MFCK0XTvj pic.twitter.com/reGCBgaowP
— John R. Modlin (@USBPChiefTCA) August 26, 2022
Maricopa County Sheriff Paul Penzone said that Border Patrol agents’ efforts to keep drugs off the streets saved a lot of lives.
“I am grateful for the incredible work by Border Patrol agents to keep drugs off our streets,” said Sheriff Paul Penzone. “Their efforts will save lives and promote safety.”
It was later determined that the 340 packages of fentanyl pills weighed a total of 187 pounds and was estimated to have been worth $4.3 million
At the Nogales, AZ port of entry customs made another surprising bust. U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents found 14,000 fentanyl pills inside a pair of crutches being used by a pedestrian.
8/23 new concealment: CBP Officers at the Nogales POE discovered approx 14,000 fentanyl pills hidden in crutches being used by a pedestrian. During inspection, a CBP Officer found the crutches to be excessively heavy. K9 and X-Ray examination confirmed suspicions. pic.twitter.com/Vx3hZU7Pgh
— Port Director Michael W. Humphries (@CBPPortDirNOG) August 25, 2022
After determining the crutches were excessively heavy they x-rayed them and saw the pills.
The United States had over 100,000 fentanyl overdoses last year with the majority of those deaths impacting people under forty.
For more on this story, please consider these sources:
- $4.3 million worth of fentanyl seized by border agents in Arizona – NY Post
- Arizona CBP agents seize enough fentanyl to kill 42 million people in latest border drug bust – Fox News
- Agents find $4M worth of fentanyl coated in axle grease near Gila Bend – KPNX