Fentanyl Found Hidden in Electric Moped at Border

Fentanyl hidden in an electric moped triggered a federal case at the San Ysidro border crossing after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers found more than 16 pounds of the drug packed inside the vehicle earlier this month. CBP said the seizure led to the arrest of a 22-year-old Mexican national who now faces federal narcotics importation charges.

Officials said the man was driving a 2024 Revoo electric moped when he sought entry into the United States on Aug. 3 and was sent to secondary inspection. CBP said a nonintrusive imaging system flagged unusual areas beneath the rear of the moped, and a canine alert led officers to a closer search. Inside, they found seven packages containing 16.53 pounds of white fentanyl powder with an estimated street value of $238,032.

San Ysidro Port Director Mariza Marin said smugglers are using new tactics to move deadly drugs into the country, but she said officers continue to rely on training, canine teams and scanning technology to stop those attempts. Her remarks came as CBP described the case as another example of border officers intercepting narcotics before they reach U.S. streets.

Officers also seized the moped, a GPS tracker and a cellphone. The driver was arrested and will be prosecuted federally, according to CBP. The agency did not release additional details about the suspect beyond his age and citizenship, and the case adds to a string of recent border seizures tied to fentanyl and other narcotics.