x
Breaking News
More () »

Half a ton of fentanyl seized in largest bust in Border Patrol history

Four million pills were seized at the Port of Lukeville from an Arizona man.
Credit: U.S. Customs and Border Protection

TUCSON, Ariz. — In the single largest fentanyl seizure in U.S. Customs and Border Patrol history, agents seized four million blue fentanyl pills. Officials say the pills weigh more than a thousand pounds. 

According to CBP, on July 1, a 20-year-old Arizona man drove up to the Port of Lukeville in a 2011 pick-up truck that was towing a trailer. While searching the truck and trailer agents noticed "several anomalies" in the trailer. 

Canines and agents found 234 packages of drugs concealed within the frame of a trailer.

 Guadalupe Ramirez, Director of Field Operations, Tucson Field Office, commended the Port of Lukeville on this record-breaking drug seizure. “This is an enormous amount of dangerous drugs that officers at the Port of Lukeville prevented from reaching communities throughout the United States.” 

Officers at the same port of entry then seized about 270 pounds of methamphetamine several days later. The second seizure occurred on July 12, when a 45-year-old male Mexican citizen driving a 2007 Ford F1-50 pick-up truck towing a utility trailer attempted to make entry into the U.S. During an in-depth examination utilizing non-intrusive inspection (NII) and a CBP canine team, officers discovered 39 packages of methamphetamine totaling nearly 272 pounds and an additional five pounds of cocaine.  

 The estimated street value for these two significant seizures is over $12.6 million. 

More ways to get 12News  

On your phone: Download the 12News app for the latest local breaking news straight to your phone.  

On your streaming device: Download 12News+ to your streaming device  

The free 12News+ app from 12News lets users stream live events — including daily newscasts like "Today in AZ" and "12 News" and our daily lifestyle program, "Arizona Midday"—on Roku and Amazon Fire TV.  

12News+ showcases live video throughout the day for breaking news, local news, weather and even an occasional moment of Zen showcasing breathtaking sights from across Arizona. 

On social media: Find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube

Before You Leave, Check This Out