Purple-colored fentanyl powder found in two vehicles

CALEXICO, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) -- Around 80 pounds of purple-colored fentanyl powder was seized in two separate smuggling attempts over the weekend at the Calexico West Port of Entry.

The first attempt occurred Saturday around 3:29 p.m. when authorities examined a 2024 pickup truck, driven by a 25-year-old man, entering the United States from Mexico, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said in a news release Thursday.

During a secondary inspection, CBP officers found a total of 20 purple-colored fentanyl powder packages, weighing 48.01 pounds, hidden within the spare tire of the pickup truck.

On Sunday around 10:20 p.m., CBP officers inspected a 2007 SUV, driven by a 31-year-old woman, entering the U.S. from Mexico. That's when authorities found a total of 16 purple-colored fentanyl powder packages, weighing 40.56 pounds, concealed within the dashboard area of the vehicle.

Both drivers were turned over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation, while CBP officers seized the drugs and vehicles.