Officers Seize 133 Pounds of Fentanyl at Border, Top Take for Year in California

Fentanyl discovered in a flatbed truck in Otay Mesa amounted to the largest such seizure this year by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in California, officials said Thursday.

The seizure yielded 133.6 pounds of fentanyl powder in 50 packages, along with 227.96 pounds of cocaine in 77 packages.

The total, more than 360 pounds, was concealed in the frame of the truck’s flatbed trailer, according to CBP.

The truck’s driver, described as a 44-year-old man and valid border-crossing cardholder, applied for entry into the U.S. at the Otay Mesa Commercial Facility on Friday. The vehicle was referred for further examination.

Inspection technology revealed “anomalies” inside the truck and a police dog alerted officers to narcotics. The drugs and truck were seized and the driver was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations.

– City News Service