Tucson Sector Border Patrol Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel said the unit is facing increased challenges in the wake of greater human smuggling and narcotics activity.
“Alien smuggling is a lucrative business,” Roy Villareal, Tucson Sector Border Patrol chief, said. “It is orchestrated by traffickers who use these large groups to create a vulnerability in operations.”
Last month Tucson Sector agents rescued 108 people who crossed the border illegally. Authorities encountered large family units from Central America, which overwhelmed resources and shattered previous annual apprehension totals.
The Tucson Sector also seized an ultra-light aircraft loaded with more than 143 pounds of methamphetamine and fentanyl south of Tucson while a single group of 134 Central Americans surrendered to Border Patrol in Sasabe after walking around the west end of the pedestrian fencing – with another group crossing at the same location some 10 hours later.
CBP officials maintain transnational criminal organizations are employing dangerous and unconventional methods to smuggle humans and drugs into the United States, hindering law enforcement and first responder capabilities.
Transportation, medical, and manpower resources have been extended to capacity. CBP officials noted that the strain and human toll is frustrating for migrants, their families, the American public, and law enforcement agents.