Agents from the El Centro Sector Border Patrol have apprehended a 31-year-old male Mexican citizen for allegedly smuggling 450 pounds of methamphetamine, with an estimated street value of $540,000. The illicit substance was discovered in a liquid form concealed within the fuel tank of a tractor trailer.
On the afternoon of July 8, around 2 p.m., the agents halted an orange Freightliner semi-truck proceeding northbound on Highway 86 near Coachella. A trained Border Patrol K-9 unit, skilled in detecting hidden individuals and narcotics, signaled the presence of drugs within the vehicle. The semi-truck and its driver were subsequently taken to the Indio Border Patrol Station for a detailed inspection. Upon testing, the substance in the fuel tanks was confirmed to be methamphetamine.
El Centro Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gregory Bovino expressed concern about the significant risks posed by large drug hauls like this. “Large shipments of methamphetamine represent a multifaceted threat to American society, encompassing increases in criminal activity and declines in public health and safety,” stated Bovino. “Our agents are dedicated to aggressively confronting smugglers with a singular objective: securing victories for the American people.”
This notable seizure is part of Operation Apollo, an extensive anti-fentanyl initiative that started on October 26, 2023, in Southern California and later extended to Arizona on April 10, 2024. Operation Apollo emphasizes intelligence gathering and collaborative partnerships, deploying local CBP resources supplemented by federal, state, and local authorities to enhance resource allocation, foster cooperation, and effectively target the trafficking of fentanyl into the United States.
