Skip to main content

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • Archived Content
    In an effort to keep CBP.gov current, the archive contains content from a previous administration or is otherwise outdated.
  1. Home
  2. Newsroom
  3. Local Media Release
  4. Border Patrol Agents Discover Fentanyl Concealed Inside a Pair of Boots at Checkpoint

Border Patrol Agents Discover Fentanyl Concealed Inside a Pair of Boots at Checkpoint

Release Date
Tue, 08/04/2020
Meth in boots
Border Patrol agents found the narcotic concealed
within a pair of boots worn by the passenger.

SALTON CITY, Calif. – El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents working at the Highway 86 immigration checkpoint arrested a man suspected of smuggling narcotics Tuesday morning.

The incident occurred at approximately 8:10 a.m., when a man driving a grey Chevrolet Malibu along with a male passenger approached the checkpoint.  A Border Patrol K-9 detection team alerted to the vehicle in the primary inspection lane.  Agents directed the vehicle to enter the secondary inspection area for further investigation. 

While in secondary inspection, agents discovered small packages concealed within a pair of boots worn by the passenger. The substance inside the packages was a powder created by crushed pills.  The powder tested positive for the characteristics of fentanyl.  The passenger was placed under arrest and was taken to the detention area for further processing.

Meth in boots 2
The fentanyl discovered was approximately
1.77 pounds with an estimated value of $20,094.

The total weight of the fentanyl discovered was approximately 1.77 pounds with an estimated value of $20,094.

The man, an 18-year-old United States citizen, and the narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

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 and Instagram @USBPChiefELC.

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.

Last Modified: Oct 26, 2023