El Paso, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection has released year-end data on its fiscal year 2011 operations - illustrating the agency's success in securing the border and facilitating legitimate trade and travel through targeted operations, enhanced partnerships, and the unprecedented deployment of personnel, technology and infrastructure along America's borders.

In fiscal 2011, CBP seized nearly 5 million pounds of narcotics and more than $126 million in currency. CBP also processed nearly $2.3 trillion in trade - a 14 percent increase over FY 2010 - and more than 340 million travelers in fiscal year 2011, and continued to expand trusted traveler and shipper programs designed to expedite screening for low-risk travelers and trade through rigorous, recurrent background checks.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection employees from the El Paso Office of Field Operations recorded a number of highlights during the recently completed fiscal year 2011 which began Oct. 1, 2010 and ended Sept. 30, 2011. For example, CBP personnel working at area ports of entry seized in excess of 46 tons of illegal drugs while processing more than 26 million people applying for legal entry to the United States.

"Our number one priority at El Paso area ports of entry remains homeland security," said Ana Hinojosa, director of Field Operations in El Paso. "CBP officers, agricultural specialists, canine teams and support staff are working hard everyday. Their vigilance and commitment to duty are helping maintain the safety and security of our nation. I commend them on their success."

The complete CBP national news release and 2011 highlights can be found at the following links: