U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers recently seized more than 100 pounds of fentanyl in powder and pill form concealed in food products at the Otay Mesa port of entry.
The smuggling attempt was intercepted on July 3 at about 10:50 p.m. when two men, 43 and 50 years old, in a 2005 GMC Yukon, attempted to enter the United States, CBP wrote in a news release.
CBP officers discovered 46 packages of fentanyl wrapped in plastic concealed within flour bags, ground coffee cans, creamer cans, and powdered milk cans during a cursory inspection of the vehicle. Officers discovered 42.46 pounds of fentanyl powder and 59.08 pounds of fentanyl pills with an estimated street value of more than $1.2 million.
“​​We are seeing a rise in fentanyl smuggling attempts,” said Anne Maricich, CBP Deputy Director of Field Operations in San Diego in a news release. “Our officers are working vigilantly to prevent the entry of this dangerous drug. Our field office is also diligently working on mitigating the risks involved with seizing this lethal narcotic.”
Both men were booked into the Metropolitan Correctional Center in San Diego.
