CBP Intercepts Over $300,000 in Narcotics at Southern Border
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel intercepted two vehicles containing narcotics valued at over $300,000 within a single day, highlighting ongoing smuggling efforts despite a drop in immigration numbers at the U.S. southern border.
Significant Drug Seizures
On May 17, at the San Ysidro Port of Entry, agents directed a 2013 Honda Civic to a secondary inspection. Utilizing an imaging system, they identified suspicious areas in the car’s firewall. This led them to uncover six packages of white fentanyl powder worth approximately $113,600, in addition to 8.4 pounds of cocaine estimated at $161,600.
The same day, at the Calexico East Port of Entry—about 100 miles from San Ysidro—a 2011 Nissan Cube also underwent a secondary inspection. Anomalies detected in the vehicle’s flooring led to the discovery of 63 packets of methamphetamine.
“Sunday may be a day of rest for many, but criminals don’t take days off, and neither do our CBP officers,” remarked Sidney Aki, San Diego Director of Field Operations. “Our officers remain vigilant around the clock, and these significant seizures are a direct result of their commitment to keeping dangerous drugs like these from entering our country.”
Operational Efforts and Impact
CBP acknowledges that these operations continue the strategies introduced by former President Donald Trump and DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin. Although border crossings have significantly decreased since 2024, high-profile smuggling attempts still occur, including the illegal transport of weapons, narcotics, and people.
From December 2024, when encounters exceeded 144,000, immigration numbers plummeted to about 10,000 by April. Nevertheless, CBP officers have thwarted multiple attempts to smuggle contraband, including a case involving a rocket-propelled grenade launcher and another where dozens of migrants were found in a semi-truck.
CBP’s recent enforcement actions also involved the detention of a boat off the Dominican Republic coast, assisted by a Black Hawk helicopter.
In a statement, CBP emphasized, “CBP officers along the southwest border stop illegal activity, including the smuggling of drugs and humans, and facilitate lawful entry for millions of legitimate travelers into the United States.”
Leo Briceno, a politics reporter for Fox News Digital, provided insights on these developments. Previously, he reported for World Magazine.