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  4. Traveler Assessed Over $22,000 in Penalties for Failure to Declare Medication

Traveler Assessed Over $22,000 in Penalties for Failure to Declare Medication

SAN YSIDRO, Calif. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the San Ysidro Port of Entry intercepted 9,000 Tramadol pills and 640 B12 syringes being smuggled into the U.S. The traveler was assessed a penalty of more than $22,000 by CBP officers.

Bag of drugs
A detailed physical inspection of a vehicle performed by CBP officers at the San Ysidro Port of Entry resulted in the discovery of two bags from the engine compartment. Inside the two bags officers found 9,000 tramadol pills and 640 B12 syringes.

On Feb. 7, at approximately 6 a.m., a 46-year-old man driving a vehicle applied for entry into the U.S. by presenting his valid passport card to CBP officers at the San Ysidro Port of Entry.  The officer referred the vehicle and occupant for further examination after a human/narcotics detector dog alerted to the vehicle.

In secondary, CBP officers screened the vehicle utilizing CBP imaging system, similar to X-ray, and observed anomalies in the hood area of the vehicle. A detailed physical inspection of the vehicle performed by CBP officers resulted in the discovery of two bags from the engine compartment. Inside the two bags officers found 9,000 tramadol pills and 640 B12 syringes.

CBP officers seized the pharmaceuticals and issued the driver a monetary penalty totaling approximately $22,841 for failure to declare merchandise.

CBP officers at the border crossing in Southern California stop illegal activity while processing millions of legitimate travelers into the United States.

Follow the Director of CBP’s San Diego Field Office on Twitter at @DFOSanDiegoCA for breaking news, current events, human interest stories and photos.

Last Modified: Feb 17, 2023