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  4. Agents Seize Large Quantity of Xanax at Checkpoint

Agents Seize Large Quantity of Xanax at Checkpoint

Release Date
Mon, 08/09/2021

SALTON CITY, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested two United States citizens attempting to smuggle a large quantity of the prescription drug Alprozolam (also known as Xanax) through an immigration checkpoint Friday afternoon.

Xanax
El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents arrested two
United States citizens attempting to smuggle
Alprozolam (also known as Xanax) through an
​​​immigration checkpoint.

The incident occurred at about 1:15 p.m., when a white 2018 Nissan Sentra approached the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint. The agent in primary inspection referred the vehicle to the secondary inspection area for further investigation.

During secondary inspection, a Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted to the trunk of the vehicle and discovered three large trash bags containing 277 prescription glass bottles labeled as Alprozolam (also known as Xanax).

The total amount of pills contained in the glass bottles attempted to be smuggled was approximately 24,930 pills with an estimated value of $199,440.

The driver, a 37-year-old woman, and her passenger, a 19-year-old man, admitted to being paid to transport the narcotics. Both individuals were arrested and held for further processing.

Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection. For all news, information, and updates follow us on Twitter @CBPElCentro, @USBPChiefELC and Instagram.

Last Modified: Nov 18, 2021