Title: U.S. Citizen Arrested with $130,000 Worth of Fentanyl at U.S.-Mexico Border

In a significant drug bust, a U.S. citizen was apprehended while attempting to cross back into the United States from Mexico with approximately $130,000 worth of fentanyl hidden in a ride-share taxi. The incident unfolded at the U.S. Border Patrol immigration checkpoint on Highway 86 in Southern California on Wednesday evening.

According to a statement from the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), at around 6:30 p.m., a ride-share taxi driver carrying four passengers entered the inspection area of the checkpoint. Suspicion arose when an agent in the primary inspection area referred the vehicle for further investigation.

Upon being granted permission, a K-9 team trained to detect concealed humans and narcotics conducted a search of the vehicle in the secondary inspection area. The K-9 alerted to the trunk area, which led agents to discover several bags. Additionally, the K-9 also alerted to a backpack and a speaker claimed by one of the passengers.

As authorities began searching the backpack and speaker, they uncovered several wrapped packages that matched the appearance of packages commonly used to transport illicit narcotics. A sample taken from one of the packages later confirmed it to be fentanyl, a highly potent synthetic opioid.

The total weight of the seized fentanyl was just under 10 pounds, with an estimated street value of $130,000, according to CBP. The U.S. citizen responsible for the smuggling attempt was promptly arrested and handed over to the Drug Enforcement Administration, along with the narcotics hidden in the backpack and speaker.

This successful interdiction is part of Operation Apollo, a joint regional operation involving federal, state, and local agencies collaborating to combat the distribution and trafficking of fentanyl, as well as other synthetic narcotics.

Authorities have not released any information about the arrested U.S. citizen, and the investigation into the incident is currently ongoing.