U.S. Border Patrol agents in the San Diego Sector intercepted a major fentanyl smuggling attempt last Friday, seizing 128.7 pounds of fentanyl pills hidden in a trailer at the Interstate 8 checkpoint in Pine Valley — marking one of the largest fentanyl seizures to date in the region.
K-9 Alerts Agents to Concealed Narcotics
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The bust occurred on June 27 when a pickup truck towing an empty flatbed trailer was flagged for secondary inspection by Campo Station agents. A trained Border Patrol K-9 alerted handlers to the trailer, prompting a closer inspection. Inside aftermarket compartments built into the trailer frame, agents found 42 bundles of blue fentanyl pills.
Lab testing confirmed the pills weighed a total of 128.7 pounds, with an estimated street value of $758,000.
Driver Arrested and Facing Charges
The truck’s driver, a Mexican national, was arrested at the scene. The San Diego County District Attorney’s Office has accepted the case for prosecution on charges of possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance.
Border Patrol Statement
“Fentanyl is lethal in even tiny amounts, and intercepting such a large quantity saved countless lives,” said Acting Chief Patrol Agent Jeffrey D. Stalnaker. “This seizure demonstrates the Border Patrol’s role in protecting American communities.”
Rising Drug Seizures in San Diego Sector
This bust adds to already staggering numbers in the San Diego Sector’s 2025 drug seizures:
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326 pounds of fentanyl
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2,396 pounds of methamphetamine
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2,586 pounds of cocaine
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56 pounds of heroin
Agents emphasize that fentanyl trafficking remains one of the greatest threats to public safety due to the drug’s extreme potency — just 2 milligrams can be fatal.
As fentanyl seizures continue to surge, officials urge the public to remain vigilant and support ongoing interdiction efforts at the southern border.
