Customs and Border Protection officers in Seattle have seized a shipment of fentanyl that originated in Canada.
Over one pound of the illicit substance was recovered.
According to CBP, the fentanyl was found during a "targeted enforcement operation" at a local shipping facility. When officers opened the package in question, they discovered "a brown rock-like substance in plastic bags."
Tests were performed, and it was confirmed that the substance was fentanyl.
"Fentanyl is an extremely dangerous synthetic drug that plagues our communities," Seattle Area Port Director Rene Ortega lamented. "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 apprehension comes amid growing tension between Canada and the United States, with fentanyl among the issues fuelling the discontent. Following negotiations between American president Donald Trump and Canadian prime minister, Canada announced the appointment of Kevin Brosseau as "fentanyl czar."
The prime minister's office made it clear that "the scourge of fentanyl must be wiped from the face of the Earth, its production must be shut down, and its profiteers must be punished."
"This is a national security and a public safety crisis," Brosseau added. "We should be focused on eliminating the scourge that is fentanyl in this country and in the United States. If it's one pound, 10 pounds, we all know the amount of deaths that that possibly could represent."
Around 19.5 kg entered Canada from the US between October 2023 and September 2024.
