Oxycodone Flood: Woman Nabbed with $1.4M at Border

SAN DIEGO, CA – A massive influx of the deadly opioid oxycodone was intercepted at the Otay Mesa Port of Entry yesterday, leading to the arrest of Adriana Morfin-Paniagua, 22, of Tijuana, Mexico. Authorities seized approximately 47,340 oxycodone tablets with an estimated street value of $1,420,000 – the largest oxycodone bust along the Southwest Border in at least five years.

Morfin-Paniagua entered the U.S. on March 8, 2017, driving a 1999 Honda Accord. A secondary inspection by Customs and Border Protection officials uncovered thirty packages of the pills hidden within a non-factory compartment. Field tests confirmed the tablets as oxycodone, and forensic analysis is underway at a DEA lab to solidify the findings. Each pill carries an illegal street value ranging from $30 to $40, bringing the total haul to over $1.4 million at the lowest estimate.

“This is one of the biggest seizures of oxycodone at a San Diego port of entry,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Alana Robinson. “Every pill we seize is one that we keep out of the mouths of abusers who are on a path to destruction.” The defendant has been charged with violations of Title 21, United States Code, 952 and 960, specifically importation of a controlled substance, and is currently being held at the Metropolitan Correctional Center.

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) San Diego is leading the investigation into the transnational network behind this attempted drug smuggling operation. “HSI San Diego is committed to fully investigating criminal activity linked to the transnational movement of counterfeit pharmaceuticals,” said acting Special Agent in Charge James Plitt. “Our agents will continue to work diligently with our law enforcement and prosecutorial partners to counter this type of criminal activity.”

Morfin-Paniagua made her initial court appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jan Adler. If convicted, she faces a maximum penalty of twenty years in federal custody. Case number: 17MJ0710. The investigation remains ongoing, and authorities are working to identify any additional co-conspirators involved in the attempted smuggling.

Disclaimer: The charges and allegations contained in a complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.