MURRIETA – Over 150 pounds of narcotics were seized between May 24-26 by San Diego Sector US Border Patrol agents from the Newton Azrak Border Patrol Station.
On May 24th, agents conducted a vehicle stop at approximately 10:50 AM on I-15, north of the checkpoint. The 2008 Chevy Tahoe contained 67 packages of narcotics hidden in its gas tank.
Two types of narcotics were positively tested – 65 packages contained fentanyl pills, and 2 packages contained fentanyl powder – weighing 83.93 lbs. The U.S. citizens, narcotics with estimated street value of pills at $850K, and powder at $63,360, and all property was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and the multi-agency Inland Crackdown Allied Task Force (INCA) to be processed accordingly, while the vehicle was seized by Border Patrol.
A vehicle stop on May 26th at approximately 9:45 AM, as a white Jeep Liberty travelled northbound on I-
15, landed agents discovering 4 tires containing after-market compartments. 42 packages of suspected narcotics were tested – 34 tested positive for fentanyl powder and 8 tested positive for heroin.
Total weight was 39.5 lbs. fentanyl powder with an estimated street value of $474,000 and 26.9 lbs. of heroin with an estimated street value of $345,600. In the Fiscal Year: FY2022, year-to-date: San Diego Sector has seized over 128 lbs. of heroin and 560 lbs. of fentanyl.
The narcotics and vehicle were seized by Border Patrol. The driver, a Mexican national, was turned over to local county law enforcement and booked on state charges.
“By seizing these narcotics, our Border Patrol agents not only keep dangerous drugs out of our communities, but also deny criminal organizations the profits derived from their sale,” said Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke. “Last year, over 100,000 lives were lost in the United States resulting from drug overdoses. Through strong partnerships with the U.S. Border Patrol and INCA, HSI Los Angeles is dedicated to preventing this poison from hitting our streets and holding traffickers accountable,” said Eddy Wang, Acting Special Agent in Charge for HSI Los Angeles.
MISSION STATEMENT: U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.
To prevent the illicit smuggling of humans, drugs, and other contraband, the U.S. Border Patrol maintains a high level of vigilance on corridors of egress away from our Nation’s borders. To report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol, contact San Diego Sector at (619) 498-9900.
