SAN DIEGO — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at ports of entry along the California/Mexico border seized 625 pounds of narcotics valued at more than $2.7 million over the past five days and arrested 39 people for a variety of criminal activity.
From midnight Friday through midnight Tuesday, CBP officers at the six land ports of entry thwarted numerous smuggling attempts involving heroin, cocaine, fentanyl and methamphetamine. The drugs were strapped to smugglers’ bodies and hidden in various areas of the vehicles such as the gas tank, trunk, seats and quarter panels.
“In addition to dealing with the arrival of a large caravan of migrants and the processing of asylum claims, CBP officers within the San Diego Field Office continue to seize narcotics and arrest wanted individuals all while performing their traditional duties of processing lawful trade and travel,” said Pete Flores, Director of Field Operations for CBP in San Diego. “CBP officers are dedicated to protecting the United States and keeping our communities safe.”
One of the most recent narcotics seizures occurred at the San Ysidro Port of Entry early Tuesday morning when CBP officers found nearly 170 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in the doors, seats, quarter panels and bumper of the vehicle of a man attempting to enter the U.S. from Mexico. The man, who is a citizen of Mexico and permanent resident of the United States, was arrested and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations.
Total narcotics seizures included nearly 580 pounds of methamphetamine, five pounds of cocaine, approximately 26 pounds of heroin and 17 pounds of fentanyl. CBP officers arrested 10 people in connection to the narcotics smuggling attempts.
Additionally, CBP officers arrested 14 people who had a variety of warrants for crimes such as auto theft, dangerous drugs and parole violations. Another 15 people were arrested on charges of human smuggling, fraudulent documents and immigration violations.
For statistics on more of our apprehensions, please visit: https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/stats/cbp-enforcement-statistics.