Trump touts securing southern border as fentanyl deaths plummet
President Donald Trump pointed to what he described as a steep decline in fentanyl deaths and illegal drugs entering the United States by sea during an exclusive interview with Trace Gallagher. Trump said his border security policies have cut maritime drug smuggling by 97 percent, arguing the change has saved thousands of lives. He also questioned why major media outlets have not given more attention to what he called progress at the southern border.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized more than 16 pounds of fentanyl, valued at nearly $240,000 on the street, after finding the drug hidden inside an electric moped at the southern border, authorities said.
CBP said the discovery, made earlier this month, led to federal charges against a 22-year-old Mexican national.
The man was riding a 2024 Revoo electric moped when he sought entry into the United States on Aug. 3 and was sent to secondary inspection, officials said.
National Guard officers install a checkpoint to inspect motorists before crossing into the United States at San Ysidro Port of Entry on February 6, 2025 in Tijuana, Mexico. (Francisco Vega/Getty Images)
During the inspection, CBP officers used a nonintrusive imaging system, which revealed irregularities beneath the rear section of the moped, the agency said.
A CBP canine then alerted officers to the same area. A hands-on search 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.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered more than 16 pounds of fentanyl hidden inside an electric moped during a secondary inspection, authorities said. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
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
CBP officers seized seven packages containing 16.53 pounds of fentanyl powder with an estimated street value of $238,032, according to authorities. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)
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.
That same day at the Calexico East Port of Entry, about 100 miles away, officers referred a 2011 Nissan Cube for secondary inspection.
A scan detected anomalies in the vehicle’s flooring, where officers subsequently discovered 63 packages of methamphetamine, according to CBP.
