Drug Cartels: Fentanyl, Meth Smuggling Busted by Border Patrol

Border Patrol has been finding ways to detect drugs smuggled across the U.S.-Mexico Border for decades now. However, drug cartels have been innovative in their efforts to smuggle illegal drugs like fentanyl, meth, and cocaine across.

News Nation has reported that these cartels, most notorious being the Sinaloa Cartel and the Jalisco New Generation Cartel (CJNG), have used a lot of things to smuggle these illicit narcotics passed Border Patrol, including coconuts, crutches, car batteries, coffee cans, and even carrots.

Port Director Michael W. Humphries of the Nogales Port of Entry in Arizona noted that CBP officers have been able to stop the entry of 14,000 fentanyl pills that were smuggled inside crutches used by a pedestrian. He noted that they appeared to be excessively heavy, so they underwent an X-ray examination and were also sniffed by a K9, both of which confirmed that the crutches had drugs in them. The incident happened last August.

Border Patrol Agents Make Historic Drug Bust in Andrade Port of Entry to California

Earlier this week. CBP officials over at the Andrade Port of Entry in California managed to have one of the biggest drug busts there as they managed to stop over 54 pounds of fentanyl and more than 32 pounds of meth from hitting the streets. The drugs were found hidden inside a fuel tank of a vehicle that was being driven by a 37-year-old U.S. citizen. However, it has been noted that hiding narcotics inside car parts is not a new strategy anymore as drug cartels continue to find ways of hiding their illegal products.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has reported all sorts of methods in drug smuggling, including lollipops, furniture, and wax candles. They also found that lawn ornaments, produce, and even pet food have also been used as vehicles for drug trafficking.

Drug Smuggling Across the U.S.-Mexico Border More Dangerous for the Drug Mules

Over in Yuma County, Arizona, around 52% of the drugs seized by border patrol officers are stopped at the port of entry. However, the remaining 48% are found only after these narcotics have already been smuggled within the United States.

The drug mules who do these dangerous smuggling operations are not willing either, as the many innovative ways cartels try to smuggle their narcotics across the border may be dangerous.

These drug mules are often victims of human trafficking who have been forced to become drug mules. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) noted that they often endure "immense physical abuse and mental torture" when they are coerced into transporting these drugs.

The U.N. organization noted that they are often made to swallow balloons containing the drugs. However, it was noted in a 2012 report that "Stomach acids can sometimes cause the rupture of the balloons and death is very quick."

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

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