The Drug Enforcement Agency discovered over $2 million worth of smuggled Mexican methamphetamines hidden inside Disney character figurines Wednesday; calling the haul the biggest “meth bust” in the Atlanta region.
According to DEA officials, the drugs were hidden inside over 500 figurines meant to look like beloved Disney characters such as Winnie the Pooh and Tigger.
“DEA Atlanta Division Special Agent in Charge Robert Murphy says the meth originated in Mexico and was destined for Atlanta,” writes a local CBS affiliate. “He says another load containing legitimate ceramic figurines was intercepted and is believed to have been intended as a decoy.”
The discovery comes as President Trump pledges to crackdown on human trafficking and drug smuggling at the United States’ southern border; vowing last week to deploy the National Guard to help secure the region.
BORDER CHAOS: DOJ Announces ‘ZERO TOLERANCE’ Policy at Mexico Border
The Department of Justice announced strict new guidelines at the United States’ southern border with Mexico Friday; unveiling its new ‘zero tolerance policy’ for all people caught trying to enter the country illegally.
According to Fox News, Attorney General Jeff Sessions detailed the new guidelines as a solution to the “unacceptable situation” occurring in border states throughout the US.
“The situation at our Southwest Border is unacceptable,” Attorney General Jeff Sessions said in a statement announcing the policy. “Congress has failed to pass effective legislation that serves the national interest — that closes dangerous loopholes and fully funds a wall along our southern border. ”
“As a result, a crisis has erupted at our Southwest Border that necessitates an escalated effort to prosecute those who choose to illegally cross our border,” he said.
The Attorney General’s comments come as the Border Patrol Agency reported a 203% increase in arrests compared to the same time last year; apprehending over 50,000 people attempting to enter the US illegally.
'TOTAL CATASTROPHE': Four Separate IMMIGRATION BILLS FAIL in US Senate
Four separate immigration bills crashed and burned in the US Senate this week, capping off a week of fiery debate, negotiations, and eventually defeat as both the President’s proposal and a bipartisan bill failed to secure enough votes.
Trump’s four-part immigration plan -which would provide a pathway to citizenship for nearly two million ‘Dreamers,’ fund his border wall, and end “chain” migration- went down in defeat, with many Republicans joining their Democrat colleagues and sinking the bill in a 39-60 vote.
The Senate’s bipartisan deal also fell short just hours after Trump threatened to veto the bill he described as a “total catastrophe.”
“The Schumer-Rounds-Collins immigration bill would be a total catastrophe. @DHSgov says it would be ‘the end of immigration enforcement in America.’ It creates a giant amnesty (including for dangerous criminals), doesn’t build the wall, expands chain migration, keeps the visa,” Trump tweeted.
The Schumer-Rounds-Collins immigration bill would be a total catastrophe. @DHSgov says it would be “the end of immigration enforcement in America.” It creates a giant amnesty (including for dangerous criminals), doesn’t build the wall, expands chain migration, keeps the visa…
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 15, 2018
The Senate’s inability to pass any immigration deal comes as the March 5th deadline looms with the nation’s DACA program officially expiring; throwing into question the fate of millions of ‘Dreamers’ currently residing in the United States.