Desk:A shipment of thread sent from India to the United States was found to contain 70,000 narcotic pills, valued at $33,000. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) reported that the pills were hidden inside rolls of black thread. The shipment was meant for an address in Buena Park, California.
The pills, identified as zolpidem tartrate, are controlled substances regulated by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and are often used as sleep aids. These pills can also be misused by people with drug dependencies. While they are legally prescribed to treat insomnia, their abuse has raised concerns, leading to strict control measures.
On December 17, CBP officials inspected a cargo warehouse near Washington Dulles International Airport and discovered the pills concealed in 96 spools of black thread. Despite efforts to smuggle the drugs, the U.S. authorities successfully intercepted the shipment. The regional port director of CBP, Christine W., confirmed that this attempt to smuggle prescription drugs into the U.S. was thwarted. The discovery comes amid increasing concerns over drug trafficking, with President Donald Trump recently highlighting the issue and targeting China, Mexico, and Canada.
