YUMA – A 16-year-old female U.S. citizen was taken into custody on Tuesday morning after a Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents discovered fentanyl in her backpack during a stop at the Interstate 8 immigration checkpoint.
The drugs were hidden in vitamin and antibiotic medicine bottles.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Border Patrol agents referred a Transport shuttle van to the checkpoint’s secondary inspection area at approximately 10 a.m. after a canine alerted to the vehicle.
While in secondary, the canine alerted to her backpack that was located inside the van. During a search of the backpack, agents discovered several pill bottles that were sealed and appeared to be new. Upon breaking the seals on the bottles, agents found $24,000 worth of fentanyl pills.
The van and remaining occupants were subsequently released.