70,000 Ambien Pills Hidden in Yarn Seized at Dulles Airport

DULLES, Va. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized nearly 70,000 Ambien pills concealed inside 96 spools of black yarn at Washington Dulles International Airport on Jan. 16, 2025, authorities announced Tuesday. The shipment, originating from India, was flagged during a routine inspection in mid-December.

The pills, identified as Zolpidem Tartrate, were found taped to pink tubes inside the yarn spools. The shipment, weighing 60 pounds, had an estimated domestic value of $33,000. Ambien is a Schedule IV controlled substance prescribed for insomnia and classified as a sedative-hypnotic medication by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

CBP officers first detected the suspicious shipment on Dec. 17, 2024, at an air cargo warehouse near Dulles. The package, destined for Buena Park, California, contained 96 rolls of black yarn. Upon closer inspection, officers discovered multiple 10-pill blister packs hidden inside each spool.

“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 the Area Port of Washington, D.C., in a statement. “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 seizure highlights ongoing efforts by CBP to combat the smuggling of controlled substances. Authorities have not yet identified the intended recipients of the shipment or made any arrests in connection with the case.