SAN DIEGO—U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the ports of entry on the California border with Mexico conducted several hundred enforcement actions from October 1, through October 16. CBP officers stopped narcotic attempts, immigration violations, fugitives, and agriculture violations.
The violations were intercepted by CBP officers working at the ports of entry that make up the San Diego Field Office, which includes the border crossings at San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, Tecate, Calexico, and Andrade, as well as the seaports and airports in the area.
CBP officers stopped 155 incidents of attempted narcotic smuggling, totaling 20,246 pounds of marijuana, cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine. Officers found narcotics hidden in various places in vehicles, tractor-trailers, and buses such as in the tires, dashboard, gas tank, and engine compartments. In addition, several attempts were by individuals who strapped the narcotics to their body.
CBP officers also stopped the entry of 1,111 inadmissible aliens who committed violations of immigration law by attempting to enter the United States illegally. They violated the law by presenting counterfeit or altered documents, being imposters to legal documents that did not belong to them, and hiding in vehicles in an attempt to avoid inspection.
CBP officers also captured 92 individuals wanted on outstanding felony warrants for such crimes as homicide, larceny, burglary, and dangerous drugs violations.
CBP agriculture specialists issued 38 civil penalties for failure to declare prohibited plant and/or animal products.
Restrictions are placed on certain agriculture products to protect community health, preserve the environment and prevent the introduction of devastating diseases to domestic plants and animals. Failure to declare food products can result in up to $10,000 in fines and penalties.
On Tuesday, October 15, a woman in labor entered the San Ysidro port of entry in a vehicle. CBP officers trained as medical first responders responded and delivered a healthy baby girl. The officers rendered aid to the woman and newborn until medical personnel arrived.
On Wednesday, October 16, a woman entered the port of entry on foot and while still in the pedestrian facility, went into labor. A CBP officer trained as an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) and officers trained as medical first responders assisted the woman. Medical personnel arrived and delivered a baby girl, while CBP officers assisted them.
During the same period from October 1 to October 16, Border Patrol agents from San Diego Sector apprehended over 1,000 people attempting to enter the United States illegally. Furthermore, in various incidents, Border Patrol agents seized more than 1,200 pounds of marijuana and 12 pounds of methamphetamine. The drugs have a total estimated street value of $858,000.