Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel arrested an 18-year-old man from the United States for attempting to smuggle methamphetamine and fentanyl across the Texas-Chihuahua border.
The arrest occurred at the Paso del Norte International Bridge, where border agents seized 16.2 pounds (7.3 kilograms) of methamphetamine and 2.2 pounds (one kilogram) of fentanyl from a motorist requesting entry into the United States.
According to CBP, on March 26, around 1:00 a.m., a young man driving a 2008 Nissan Altima was taken for a secondary inspection after a canine unit, an expert in detecting narcotics, became alert when it was near his car.
Using a scanner, officers discovered abnormalities in the car doors, and upon removing the cover, they found 14 packages filled with a substance with characteristics similar to methamphetamine and another containing fentanyl.
The identity of the young man arrested was not revealed; however, it was explained that he was handed over to special agents of Homeland Security Investigations, who will conduct the corresponding investigations for the crime of smuggling and the possibility of filing charges against him for importing controlled substances.
“History has shown that smuggling organizations use almost anyone to bring their contraband into the United States,” said Arnie Gomez, director of the El Paso Port of Entry. He emphasized that efforts must be redoubled to detect and prevent teenagers, seniors, entire families, and single travelers from becoming involved in drug trafficking.
It’s worth remembering that on March 25, another US citizen (CBP did not specify his age) was detained by Border Patrol in the El Centro Sector, near the cities of Mexicali and Calexico, for transporting 114.5 pounds (51.9 kilos) of methamphetamine in his vehicle.
The authorities who seized the shipment estimated its street value could reach $96,492, or about 2 million Mexican pesos, according to the current exchange rate.
They added that the detainee was taken into custody by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for investigation into his possible links to the Mexican cartels identified as the main perpetrators of synthetic drug trafficking to the United States.
Source: infobae
