SW Arizona News

A recent seizure of fentanyl concealed in a skin cream container was foiled by K9 Denis, a German Shepherd, as disclosed by Chief Patrol Agent Sean L. McGoffin on social media. The canine detected the presence of the potent opioid during a vehicle inspection at a Yuma checkpoint.

McGoffin revealed, "A U.S. citizen thought he could hide his fentanyl stash in a skin cream container, but there is no tricking the nose that knows! K9 Denis alerted to a vehicle at a #YumaSector immigration checkpoint and found 25 grams of fentanyl." He shared this information in an April 29 post on social media platform X, along with a picture of the seized container and K9 Denis.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), their ongoing operation targeting gangs and cartels involved in fentanyl smuggling has been successful. Since the beginning of the fiscal year 2024 through February end, CBP has confiscated over 8,000 pounds of fentanyl and an additional 222,000 pounds of drugs including fentanyl. They further emphasized that merely two milligrams of illicit fentanyl, equivalent to few grains of sand, constitutes a lethal dose.

Screenshot of Sean McGoffin's April 29 post on X | X

The Yuma Sector under CBP's jurisdiction spans across 181,670 square miles between California and Arizona. This includes 126 miles of border from the Imperial Sand Dunes in California to the Yuma-Pima County line in Arizona. Established in December 1954, it initially comprised stations in Yuma, Arizona and Blythe, California. As of now, this sector encompasses three stations located within Arizona communities—Yuma and Wellington—and Blythe in California.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officially came into existence in 1924; however its inception can be traced back to as early as 1904 when mounted watchmen patrolled the border. According to CBP's historical webpage, the first Border Patrol Academy was inaugurated in 1933 with 34 trainees enrolled for classes on marksmanship and horsemanship. In 1952, legislation was passed that empowered border patrol agents to inspect vehicles for illegal immigrants who were then subject to arrest. Subsequently, in March 2003, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was formed and U.S. Border Patrol became a part of U.S. Customs and Border Protection under DHS.