Canine Alerts to Fentanyl Pills Hidden in Sealed Medicine Bottles

Border Patrol canine alerted to vitamin and antibiotic medicine bottles that contained fentanyl pills at the Interstate 8 immigration checkpoint Tuesday morning.

Border Patrol agents assigned to the Yuma Sector Canine Unit referred a Transporte 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 a 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 owner of the backpack, a 16-year-old female U.S. citizen, was taken into custody and the pills were seized. The van and remaining occupants were subsequently released.