THE AMERICA ONE NEWS
Jun 27, 2025  |  
0
 | Remer,MN
Sponsor:  QWIKET 
Sponsor:  QWIKET 
Sponsor:  QWIKET: Elevate your fantasy game! Interactive Sports Knowledge.
Sponsor:  QWIKET: Elevate your fantasy game! Interactive Sports Knowledge and Reasoning Support for Fantasy Sports and Betting Enthusiasts.
back  
topic
Luke Gentile, Social Media Producer


NextImg:CBP cracks down on fentanyl smuggling at Los Angeles airport

United States Customs and Border Protection is cracking down on fentanyl smuggling at Los Angeles International Airport as overdose numbers continue to climb.

Tens of thousands of parcels pass through LAX every day, and CBP is implementing new measures, including new technology to examine packages, according to a report.

MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME FELL IN 2022, ADJUSTED FOR INFLATION, CENSUS BUREAU SAYS

Fentanyl precursor chemicals are often disguised as regular shipments by smugglers.

"[They're] coming through disguised in innocent e-commerce packages, and they're commingled with thousands and thousands of other packages," CBP inspector Andrew Chavez said.

"It's like finding a needle in a stack of needles, seven days a week, 365 days a year."

Authorities search for fentanyl from an inspection warehouse close to the airport. Computers there target suspicious items that could be part of the drug trade.

"If it gets through LAX, it gets out on the street," Chavez said. "If it gets through LAX, it's going to get to its next destination, and it's going to be turned into the final product."

At least 35,000 shipments are examined by the warehouse every day as part of Operation Artemis.

"Operation Artemis was launched in June of this year, and we have already seized over 8,000 pounds of fentanyl precursors and over half of that we've seized right here, out of LAX," said Kristie Canegallo, the deputy secretary of Homeland Security.

Fentanyl has killed upwards of 100,000 Americans in the previous two years, the report noted.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

"Americans are dying every single day," according to Canegallo.

"At the Department of Homeland Security, we are committed to doing our part to try to cut off fentanyl and fentanyl precursors."