EL PASO, Texas – A drug-sniffing dog has potentially saved dozens of lives by sniffing out 215 pounds of fentanyl pills at the U.S.-Mexico border. According to Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a K-9 unit was patrolling the lanes leading to the primary inspection booths on Nov. 24. The dog alerted officers to a suspicious 2008 SUV driven by a 31-year-old man attempting to enter the U.S. from Mexico.
Using advanced, non-intrusive screening technology, CBP officers discovered anomalies throughout the vehicle. Upon closer inspection, they uncovered 30 concealed packages in the SUV’s rear quarter panels, spare tire, and doors. Tests confirmed the packages contained fentanyl, totaling 215.11 pounds.
“Fentanyl is a highly lethal drug that continues to plague our southern border,” said Rosa Hernandez, Port Director for the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, in a press release.
The driver was taken into custody and handed over to Homeland Security for further investigation. According to the CDC, synthetic opioids like fentanyl are the leading cause of overdose deaths in the U.S. Just two milligrams, similar to five to seven grains of salt, can kill an average size adult.