Mexican national faces federal charges after CBP finds $238K in fentanyl inside electric moped

U.S.

Customs and Border Protection officers discovered more than 16 pounds of fentanyl – with an estimated street value of nearly $240,000 – hidden inside an electric moped attempting to enter the U.S. at the southern border , authorities said.

CBP said a 22-year-old Mexican national is facing federal charges following the seizure earlier this month.

Officials said the man was driving a 2024 Revoo electric moped when he applied for admission into the United States on Aug.

3 and was referred for a secondary inspection.

CBP SEIZES MASSIVE METH HAUL WORTH MILLIONS STASHED IN SECRET TILE SHIPMENT According to CBP, officers used a nonintrusive imaging system that detected anomalies beneath the rear of the moped.

After a CBP canine alerted officers to the area, a physical inspection uncovered seven packages containing 16.53 pounds of white fentanyl powder with an estimated street value of $238,032.

"Smugglers are employing innovative tactics to smuggle lethal drugs into the country," San Ysidro Port Director Mariza Marin said in a statement.

"Despite these challenges, officers remain vigilant while effectively utilizing their training, canine resources, and nonintrusive technology to thwart these smuggling attempts," Marin added.

TWO SUSPECTS ARRESTED AFTER CRASHING THROUGH CAMP PENDLETON GATE WITH 112 POUNDS OF COCAINE AND FENTANYL CBP officers seized the fentanyl, moped, a GPS tracker and a cellphone.

The driver was arrested and will face federal prosecution for narcotics importation , officials said.

The seizure comes after CBP officers stopped two separate vehicles and confiscated more than $300,000 worth of narcotics in a single day in May.

Officers at the San Ysidro Port of Entry referred a 2013 Honda Civic for secondary inspection on May 17 after a scan detected anomalies in the vehicle's firewall.

FEDS SEIZE $6.4M WORTH OF COCAINE ABOARD OIL TANKER AT PORT OF LOS ANGELES, ARREST SUSPECTED CARTEL SMUGGLER Officials discovered six packages containing white fentanyl powder worth an estimated $113,600, along with 8.4 pounds of cocaine valued at approximately $161,600.