The pills were hidden in rolls of yarn intended to reach California.
STERLING, Va. — Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at Washington Dulles International Airport unraveled a bold and bizarre smuggling attempt involving nearly 70,000 Zolpidem Tartrate pills—commonly known as Ambien—hidden inside rolls of yarn.
The seizure began with a routine examination on Dec. 17, when officers inspected a shipment from India at an air cargo warehouse near the airport. Listed as containing 96 rolls of black yarn wrapped around pink tubes, the package was destined for an address in Buena Park, California. But when officers decided to investigate further, they stumbled upon an intricate concealment method: blister packs of pills taped inside each spool of yarn.
Curious about their initial find, officers unspooled all 96 rolls of yarn and uncovered 69,813 pills of Zolpidem, a Schedule IV controlled substance often prescribed as a sedative to treat insomnia. Together, the pills weighed 60 pounds and were valued at $33,000 domestically.
“This is a very bold attempt to smuggle a significant amount of prescription medicine into the United States, but this creative concealment method failed to fool Customs and Border Protection officers,” said Christine Waugh, CBP’s Area Port Director for Washington, D.C. “CBP officers are committed to protecting the public by intercepting illicit and potentially dangerous products that arrive at our nation’s ports of entry every day.”
The pills were seized on January 16. Officers regularly screen international cargo and travelers, searching for illegal drugs, counterfeit goods, unreported currency, invasive species, and other items that pose a risk to public safety, businesses, or the nation’s economic security.
70k pills found wrapped in yarn coming through Dulles Airport
In a recent bust at Dulles International Airport, thousands of Ambien pills were intercepted in a smuggling attempt. The pills, which are commonly used as a sleep aid, were discovered hidden in a passenger’s luggage during a routine security check.
Authorities believe that the pills were being smuggled into the country for illegal distribution. The passenger, whose identity has not been released, now faces serious charges for drug trafficking.
This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing battle against illegal drug trafficking and the importance of airport security measures. The swift action of customs officials at Dulles prevented these dangerous drugs from reaching the streets and potentially causing harm to individuals.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story.
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