In a quiet wooded area near the town of Lynden in northwest Washington, just a stone’s throw from the Canadian border, border agents stumbled upon a shocking discovery last Thursday. While on patrol, the agents spotted two black backpacks lying on the ground. What they found inside left no room for doubt – 30 packages of cocaine worth over $1.1 million.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the agents were working near a port of entry in the Blaine Sector when they made the find. The white, powdery substance in the backpacks was tested and confirmed to be cocaine. The stash was handed over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further handling. Typically, seized drugs like these are destroyed, but some samples may be kept as evidence in legal cases.
Chief Patrol Agent Rosario Vasquez commended the team’s efforts, saying their vigilance stopped these dangerous drugs from making their way into communities. “Our agents work tirelessly every day to keep this nation safe, and this seizure is a testament to that commitment,” Vasquez shared in a press release.
While the discovery of the cocaine is a major success for border agents, officials haven’t revealed if any arrests have been made in connection with the incident.
For context, cocaine is classified as a Schedule II drug under U.S. law. This means it has a high potential for abuse but also has accepted medical uses in certain treatments. However, misuse of cocaine can have serious consequences, including heart problems, strokes, and even death.
The discovery near Lynden highlights the ongoing work of border agents in preventing illegal substances from entering the country, ensuring communities stay safe from their harmful effects.
