US Man Returning From Mexico Allegedly Had Fentanyl Concealed In His Body

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Texas on Monday apprehended a U.S. citizen entering from Mexico with fentanyl concealed within his body.

CBP officers at the Bridge of the Americas international crossing in El Paso encountered a U.S. man entering the country from Mexico as a pedestrian at around 1:20 a.m. Monday. A drug-sniffing dog screening pedestrians alerted officers to the man.

Officers found the man was carrying a small amount of methamphetamine wrapped in foil in a bag, but he also allegedly admitted to transporting drugs internally. After being transported to a medical facility, an exam confirmed “multiple objects” internally. Under medical supervision, the man passed three bundles by 9:15 a.m.

In total, the packages were found to contain 40 grams of powdered fentanyl and 57 grams of fentanyl pills.

“Fentanyl is a dangerous drug, and any exposure could be deadly but when it is in a powder form the danger increases exponentially,” said CBP El Paso Port Director Ray Provencio. “Not only is the smuggler at risk but so is anyone else in the vicinity if the packaging would be compromised and the powder became airborne.”

The man was arrested and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations special agents to face federal charges.