Over 1 Million Fentanyl Pills Seized at Arizona Border Crossing in Single Day

Customs and Border Protection reports massive drug busts at Nogales port of entry

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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Federal officials have reported seizing over 1 million fentanyl pills at the Nogales, Arizona port of entry in a single day in January 2026, continuing a trend of large-scale drug interdiction efforts at the U.S.-Mexico border. The seizures, which also included significant quantities of other illicit drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine, highlight the ongoing battle against the flow of deadly synthetic opioids into American communities.

Why it matters

The staggering amount of fentanyl pills seized in a single day underscores the scale of the opioid crisis in the U.S., with the powerful synthetic drug responsible for thousands of overdose deaths nationwide. These border interdiction efforts are critical to disrupting the supply chain of fentanyl and other illicit narcotics, though the persistent flow of drugs across the border remains an immense challenge for law enforcement.

The details

In January 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Nogales port of entry seized over 1 million fentanyl pills in a single day, the same amount they had reported seizing over a 30-day period the previous year. The massive busts occurred on multiple days, with officers discovering concealed loads of hundreds of thousands of fentanyl pills hidden in vehicles attempting to cross the border. The seizures also included significant quantities of other drugs like heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine.

  • On January 17, 2026, vehicles trying to enter the U.S. through the DeConcini or Mariposa border crossings were stopped with concealed loads of 522,000 blue fentanyl pills, 406,000 pills, and 106,600 more.
  • On January 26, 2026, border officers seized 111,200 fentanyl pills and 95 pounds of methamphetamine during a vehicle inspection.
  • On February 9, 2026, CBP officers seized over 45 pounds of fentanyl - 17.65 pounds of powder and 27.40 pounds of pills - concealed inside a speaker box in a vehicle.

The players

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

The federal agency responsible for border security and facilitating lawful trade and travel at U.S. ports of entry.

Diane J. Sabatino

Acting executive assistant commissioner of CBP's Office of Field Operations.

J. Acuña

Senior CBP official performing duties of area port director in Nogales, Arizona.

Roki

A CBP canine officer who helped detect a vehicle containing 55 pounds of methamphetamine.

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What they’re saying

“Technology and a CBP canine helped stop these deadly drugs from reaching U.S. communities.”

— Diane J. Sabatino, Acting executive assistant commissioner of CBP's Office of Field Operations (Twitter)

What’s next

The ongoing interdiction efforts at the Nogales port of entry will likely continue, as authorities work to disrupt the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs into the United States.

The takeaway

The massive seizures of over 1 million fentanyl pills in a single day at the Arizona border crossing underscore the immense scale of the opioid crisis and the critical importance of border security efforts to combat the deadly influx of synthetic drugs into American communities.