BLAINE, Wash. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) officers at the Pacific Highway Port of Entry discovered 18 packages of methamphetamine weighing 40.79 pounds and one package of suspected fentanyl pills weighing 1.96 pounds on June 5.
Around 3:30 p.m., a man driving a Honda Accord was attempting to enter the United States at the Pacific Highway Port of Entry. The 65-year-old man (and sole occupant of the vehicle) declared a business trip. Based on experience and training, the primary officer referred the vehicle for further inspection. Officers discovered the methamphetamine and suspected fentanyl pills by utilizing additional officer experience, a narcotic detection canine and other non-intrusive inspection technology.
“This is a fine example of the hard work our CBP officers do on a daily basis,” said Acting Area Port Director Terry Schulze. “Our officers and narcotic detection dogs are out there every day protecting our borders and keeping dangerous narcotics out of the hands of our children.”
Officers seized the methamphetamine, suspected fentanyl pills and vehicle. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents arrested the individual and the U.S. Attorney's office in Seattle accepted federal prosecution.
The Blaine Border Enforcement Security Task Force (BEST Blaine) is investigating the case. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) HSI-led BEST is composed of full-time members from U.S. Customs and Border Protection Offices of Air and Marine, Field Operations and Border Patrol; the Whatcom County Sheriff's Office; the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service; the Drug Enforcement Administration; the Canada Border Services Agency; and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.