Trump touts securing southern border as fentanyl deaths plummet
President Donald Trump highlights a massive drop in fentanyl deaths and illegal drugs entering the country by sea in an exclusive interview with Trace Gallagher. Trump claims border security measures have reduced maritime drug smuggling by 97 percent, saving thousands of lives. The president questions why mainstream media outlets are not covering this positive development at the southern border.
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered more than 16 pounds of fentanyl – with an estimated street value of nearly $240,000 – hidden inside an electric moped attempting to enter the U.S. at the southern border, authorities said.
CBP said a 22-year-old Mexican national is facing federal charges following the seizure earlier this month.
Officials said the man was driving a 2024 Revoo electric moped when he applied for admission into the United States on Aug. 3 and was referred for a secondary inspection.
CBP SEIZES MASSIVE METH HAUL WORTH MILLIONS STASHED IN SECRET TILE SHIPMENT
National Guard officers install a checkpoint to inspect motorists before crossing into the United States at San Ysidro Port of Entry on February 6, 2025 in Tijuana, Mexico. (Francisco Vega/Getty Images)
According to CBP, officers used a nonintrusive imaging system that detected anomalies beneath the rear of the moped.
After a CBP canine alerted officers to the area, a physical inspection uncovered seven packages containing 16.53 pounds of white fentanyl powder with an estimated street value of $238,032.
“Smugglers are employing innovative tactics to smuggle lethal drugs into the country,” San Ysidro Port Director Mariza Marin said in a statement.
“Despite these challenges, officers remain vigilant while effectively utilizing their training, canine resources, and nonintrusive technology to thwart these smuggling attempts,” Marin added.
TWO SUSPECTS ARRESTED AFTER CRASHING THROUGH CAMP PENDLETON GATE WITH 112 POUNDS OF COCAINE AND FENTANYL
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered more than 16 pounds of fentanyl hidden inside an electric moped during a secondary inspection, authorities said. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
CBP officers seized the fentanyl, moped, a GPS tracker and a cellphone.
The driver was arrested and will face federal prosecution for narcotics importation, officials said.
The seizure comes after CBP officers stopped two separate vehicles and confiscated more than $300,000 worth of narcotics in a single day in May.
Officers at the San Ysidro Port of Entry referred a 2013 Honda Civic for secondary inspection on May 17 after a scan detected anomalies in the vehicle’s firewall.
FEDS SEIZE $6.4M WORTH OF COCAINE ABOARD OIL TANKER AT PORT OF LOS ANGELES, ARREST SUSPECTED CARTEL SMUGGLER
CBP officers seized seven packages containing 16.53 pounds of fentanyl powder with an estimated street value of $238,032, according to authorities. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
Officials discovered six packages containing white fentanyl powder worth an estimated $113,600, along with 8.4 pounds of cocaine valued at approximately $161,600.
That same day at the Calexico East Port of Entry, about 100 miles away, officers referred a 2011 Nissan Cube for secondary inspection.
A scan detected anomalies in the vehicle’s flooring, where officers subsequently discovered 63 packages of methamphetamine, according to CBP.
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Digital’s Leo Briceno contributed to this report.
