Border Patrol Bust Near Temecula: Fentanyl In Fire Extinguishers

TEMECULA, CA — Two U.S. citizens who allegedly hid more than 19 pounds of fentanyl inside fire extinguishers that were stashed in their SUV were stopped and arrested this week by border patrol agents working near Temecula.

The man and woman were pulled over on the 15 Freeway near Temecula at approximately 2:15 Wednesday, according to the U.S. Border Patrol.

The 54-year-old man, who was behind the wheel, gave agents received permission to search the SUV using a USBP K-9. The dog quickly alerted agents to two fire extinguishers in the vehicle's rear storage compartment, according to the USBP.

"The agents opened the extinguishers and extracted small bundles of suspected fentanyl pills from each one. The bundles weighed 19.06 pounds and have an estimated street value of $281,125," the USBP reported.

The man, his 53-year-old passenger, and the narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration's Los Angeles Field Division for federal prosecution, according to the USBP.

The Temecula bust occurred as USBP agents working a bit further north on the 15 Freeway arrested an American man for allegedly hauling cocaine and methamphetamine on the Inland Empire Interstate.

The second incident occurred at approximately 2:45 p.m. Wednesday in San Bernardino County, near the Riverside County line, when border patrol agents pulled over the 25-year-old man driving a blue pickup truck.

Agents conducted a search using a USBP K-9, and the dog alerted them to the rear cargo area. Inside the compartment agents found two bags — one contained 2.54 pounds of cocaine and the other 3.75 pounds of methamphetamine, according to the agency.

The man and narcotics were turned over to the DEA’s Los Angeles Field Division with state charges and prosecution pending, the USBP said.

According to the agency, a third drug bust was made Wednesday afternoon on the 5 Freeway in Southern California. In that incident, two American men in an SUV were arrested by USBP agents for allegedly hauling 9.26 pounds of methamphetamine on the Interstate. They were also turned over to the DEA’s Los Angeles Field Division.

The vehicles in all three incidents were seized by the USBP.

“On a day that San Diego Sector agents encountered more than 700 people attempting to enter the U.S. illegally, the vigilance of our agents also prevented these highly addictive and dangerous drugs from entering American neighborhoods,” said Chief Patrol Agent Aaron Heitke. “I am proud of their efforts.”