US CBP officers seize fentanyl, heroin at San Ysidro Port of Entry

On March 10, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the San Ysidro Port of Entry seized more than 20 pounds of fentanyl and three pounds of heroin concealed within a vehicle.

Officers referred a 26-year-old male, Mexican national, driving a 2017 Nissan Sentra, to a secondary inspection area after he applied for entry into the United States.

During the inspection, a nonintrusive imaging system revealed anomalies in the vehicle’s doors, and a CBP canine team alerted officers to the presence of narcotics. Officers discovered 10 packages concealed within the doors containing approximately 20.6 pounds of fentanyl powder, enough to kill nearly 7 million Americans, and 3.1 pounds of heroin worth nearly $310,000.

CBP officers seized the narcotics, the vehicle, a GPS tracker, and a cellphone. The driver faces federal prosecution for narcotics importation and smuggling.

“This significant seizure showcases the dedication of our officers and their effectiveness in stopping dangerous drugs from reaching our communities,” said San Diego Director of Field Operations Sidney K. Aki. “By combining their keen observational skills with advanced technology and highly trained canine teams, our officers successfully prevented these narcotics from causing harm.”