Federal Authorities Arrest Mexican National After Seizing $238,000 in Fentanyl from Electric Moped at Border

A 22-year-old Mexican national now faces federal charges after U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers uncovered more than 16 pounds of fentanyl concealed within an electric moped at the southern border. The contraband, valued at approximately $238,032 on the street, was discovered during a secondary inspection conducted on August 3.

The driver was operating a 2024 Revoo electric moped when he attempted entry into the United States and was flagged for additional screening. Using nonintrusive imaging technology, CBP officers detected irregularities beneath the moped’s rear section, prompting a canine unit to inspect the area more closely.

The physical search yielded seven packages containing 16.53 pounds of white fentanyl powder. Authorities also seized the moped itself, along with a GPS tracking device and cellular phone found in the suspect’s possession.

San Ysidro Port Director Mariza Marin stated that smugglers continue developing new methods to transport dangerous drugs across the border. Marin emphasized that CBP personnel remain committed to identifying and stopping such shipments through vigilant enforcement and advanced detection tools.

The arrest marks the latest in a series of significant drug interdictions at the border. In May, CBP officers seized narcotics worth more than $300,000 across two separate vehicle inspections in a single day at nearby ports of entry.