K-9 ‘Mya’ sniffs out $1.7 million in drugs containing fentanyl hidden in spare tire, agents say

A San Clemente border patrol K-9 reportedly sniffed out 38 pounds of drugs containing fentanyl hidden inside a spare tire, border patrol authorities said in a statement Tuesday.

On Jan. 18, agents with the San Clemente Border Patrol Station stopped a car heading north on the 5 Freeway near the Vista Hermosa Highway exit. The canine, named Mya, conducted a sniff test and alerted authorities of possible narcotics located near the trunk, according to a news release from U.S Customs and Border Protection.

After searching the car’s trunk, agents found a spare tire described as ‘heavier than normal’ and transported the driver and vehicle to the border patrol station. Upon further inspection, 38 pounds of blue pills wrapped in 15 cellophane packages were recovered inside the tire, which later tested positive for the presence of fentanyl, officials said.

It was unclear if the pills contained other illegal substances. The drugs reportedly contained an estimated street value of $1,720,000.00, authorities said.

The driver, a 25-year-old man, was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for federal prosecution.

No further information was available.