Federal Agents at Mexico Border Make Largest Fentanyl Seizure Ever

Customs officers stationed at the commercial border crossing in Nogales, AZ, made the largest fentanyl seizure ever recorded at any port of entry after a K-9 alerted others at the post that a haul of illegal narcotics was somewhere inside a vehicle at the checkpoint.

According to AZcentral.com , officers inspected the vehicle and discovered 254 pounds of fentanyl inside a hidden floor compartment of an 18-wheeler carrying cucumbers. According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse , synthetic opioids—primarily illegal fentanyl—are the most common drugs involved in overdose deaths in the United States.

The record-setting seizure on Saturday contained enough fentanyl to kill more than 115 million people—roughly equivalent to a third of the entire United States population.

In addition to the fentanyl, officers also seized 395 pounds of methamphetamine. Combined, the two drug busts have an estimated street value of $4.6 million.