U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers seized a significant amount of fentanyl during a targeted enforcement operation at a shipping facility that processes parcels in Seattle.
On Feb. 6, CBP officers from the Area Port of Seattle seized a shipment of more than 1 pound of fentanyl in a package they say originated from Canada.
According to a report released on Wednesday, CBP officers discovered a brown rock-like substance in plastic bags while processing parcels at the port. Further testing determined the substance contained fentanyl.
“Fentanyl is an extremely dangerous synthetic drug that plagues our communities,” said Rene Ortega, the Seattle Area Port Director.
“CBP uses a variety of techniques to keep our nation safe. Targeted operations in shipping facilities help keep dangerous narcotics and synthetic drugs off our streets and out of our communities.”
The announcement of the bust comes only days after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appointed Canada’s first fentanyl czar and weeks after newly re-elected U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to impose 25-per-cent tariffs on Canada for its role in the North American fentanyl crisis.
“Gang members, smugglers, human traffickers, and illicit drugs of all kinds have poured across our borders and into our communities.” Trump said in a Feb 1. executive order.
“Canada has played a central role in these challenges, including by failing to devote sufficient attention and resources or meaningfully coordinate with United States law enforcement partners to effectively stem the tide of illicit drugs,” Trump further alleged in his order.