Silver State Times

At the San Luis Port of Entry, agents with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized more than 175 pounds of narcotics after stopping an 18-year-old attempting to enter the country, according to an Oct. 2 news release.

On Sept. 28 at 10:30 p.m., an unnamed 18-year-old U.S. citizen applied for re-entry into the United States from Mexico. The teenager and the Chevrolet sport utility vehicle he drove were referred for a secondary inspection by CBP agents. After a canine unit responded and the dog alerted to the presence of narcotics, CBP agents observed anomalies throughout the vehicle. An extensive search revealed 140 packages of narcotics in the doors, floor, and quarter panels of the SUV. Agents seized those packages.

According to the news release, testing showed that three packages were filled with more than seven pounds of white fentanyl powder; twenty-seven packages contained nearly 61 pounds of blue fentanyl pills, and 110 packages contained approximately 107.5 pounds of methamphetamine. Those drugs have an estimated street value of $1,000,666.

The drugs and vehicle were seized by CBP officials. The 18-year-old was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.

"Unfortunately, this is a method of smuggling that we continue to encounter with narcotic traffickers utilizing teenagers to smuggle dangerous drugs," said Chris Leon, Area Port Director for San Luis. "I encourage young people to really think about what they are getting involved in and implore them to use good judgment because ultimately there are consequences for one’s actions," Leon added.

U.S. Border Patrol is a federal law enforcement agency under the Department of Homeland Security responsible for safeguarding the nation's borders and preventing illegal entry of people and contraband. Established in 1924, it operates in 328 ports of entry and protects 7,000 miles of land borders and 95,000 miles of maritime borders.