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From Pete Williams
The sensitive nose of a drug-sniffing dog led to what federal officials consider to be the largest seizure of the drug. US fentanyl history, synthetic opioid Customs officials and border protection discovered Thursday that they discovered 254 drug pounds hidden in the floor compartment of a truck loaded with cucumbers. They also found 395 pounds of methamphetamine.
CBP valued fentanyl at $ 3.5 million and methamphetamine at $ 1.1 million.
The seizure was twice as large as the previous apparent record of 118 pounds found in a truck stopped by state soldiers in Nebraska in 2017.
In the latter case, the semi -Trailer was arrested on Saturday attempting to enter the United States through the Nogales, Arizona border control post.
The authorities claimed that he had been driven for 26 years. elderly man who was arrested and charged with possession of drugs for the purpose of distributing them.
Michael Humphries, port director for the Nogales area, congratulated his staff for the unprecedented arrest.
"The attention they give to the small details needed to perform this type of seizure is incredible."
According to the Centers for Disease Control, fentanyl caused more than 28,400 overdose deaths in 2017, the last year for which figures are available.
According to the Drug Enforcement Administration, the drug is up to 100 times more potent
"Many users are thinking of buying heroin and do not know that they are buying fentanyl – this which often leads to overdose deaths. "
Most fentanyl produced illegally in the United States comes from Mexico
