The incident unfolded around 5 a.m. when vigilant Border Patrol agents, stationed along Interstate 10 near Dillon Road, observed suspicious activity. Employing fully marked Border Patrol vehicles as part of Operation Apollo, agents spotted a beige sedan passing their location. Acting swiftly, they initiated a vehicle stop, employing their lights and sirens. The driver complied, pulling over without resistance.
Utilizing a U.S. Border Patrol K-9 Unit trained in detecting concealed persons and narcotics, agents sought consent to search the vehicle. However, the driver denied consent. Undeterred, the K-9 unit conducted an exterior sniff of the sedan, which promptly alerted to the presence of narcotics within. Subsequent inspection of the vehicle unveiled five duffel bags containing numerous packages wrapped in cellophane—a telltale sign of narcotics trafficking. A sample test confirmed the presence of methamphetamine.
The total haul amounted to 154 pounds of methamphetamine, boasting a street value estimated at $278,000.
The apprehended driver, identified as a Mexican citizen holding a border crossing card, faced immediate arrest, with his entry benefits subsequently revoked. Authorities handed over both the seized narcotics and the vehicle to the Drug Enforcement Agency for further investigation.
Operation Apollo, a collaborative effort among federal, state, and local agencies, aims to combat the proliferation of fentanyl and other illicit synthetic narcotics in the region.
This successful interception underscores the ongoing commitment of law enforcement agencies to staunch the flow of illegal drugs across the border, safeguarding communities against the pernicious impact of narcotics trafficking.