CBP Announces Fiscal Year Achievements in Arizona

TUCSON, ARIZ.—During fiscal year 2012, the men and women of U.S. Customs and Border Protection made significant gains toward border security at and between ports of entry in Arizona.

Border Patrol apprehensions in Arizona dropped to 124,631; its lowest level in 19 years. Apprehensions dropped more than 43 percent in the past two years and more than 82 percent since the highest point in 2000.

The number of Border Patrol agents in Arizona rose to its highest level with more than 5,100 assigned, leading to unprecedented border security between ports of entry and in remote regions of the Sonoran Desert. In addition, Border Patrol agents seized more than $.5 billion in illicit narcotics between Arizona ports.

CBP's aviation capabilities in Arizona provided critical aerial surveillance support to Border Patrol agents on the ground, flying more than 16,000 hours and assisting in more than 26,000 apprehensions.

At Arizona ports of entry, CBP officers processed 22.1 million travelers while stopping 6,011 individuals identified as inadmissible due to national security, insufficient or fraudulent documents, and other admissibility concerns.

In addition, officers arrested 401 people wanted for crimes such as murder, rape, assault, robbery and other criminal activity, and seized 95,773 pounds of narcotics.

Outbound operations designed to crack down on Mexican drug cartels netted more than $5 million seized in undeclared currency, as well as 21 handguns, 22 rifles and 48,236 rounds of ammunition.

Arizona's ports, the Office of Field Operations also improved efficiency in the facilitation of lawful trade and travel by creating additional Ready Lanes at ports of entry; extending hours at commercial ports to accommodate peak travel by exporters and importers between the U.S. and Mexico; and the opening of a Global Enrollment Center at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.

OFO agriculture specialists seized 54,224 prohibited plant materials, meat and animal byproducts; intercepted 6,080 pests; and conducted 57,404 examinations on cargo containers at Arizona ports to prevent potential threats to the economic vitality of America's agriculture industry.

"I am very proud of the accomplishments and integrated achievements made by CBP personnel in Arizona this past fiscal year," said Jeffrey Self, commander of CBP's Joint Field Command headquartered in Tucson. "Although progress has been made, we will continue to build on those gains by sustaining enforcement efforts and ensuring all available capabilities are deployed effectively and efficiently to address threats. We will continue to use an integrated approach and maximize our resources to safeguard the Arizona/Mexico border."