El Centro Sector Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel said the division demonstrated a series of law enforcement achievements during fiscal year 2019.
“El Centro Sectors results are attributed to the combined effort of our agents out in the field, new technology, and the border wall system,” Ryan J. Scudder, acting chief patrol agent, said. “Our uniformed personnel will continue to serve honorably and courageously to protect our borders and our communities from any and all who mean to do us harm.”
The sector includes 72 linear miles of border shared with Mexico and three immigration checkpoints, employing over 700 uniformed agents assigned to three line-watch stations in Calexico, El Centro, and Indio, Calif.
El Centro Sector officials said a legacy fence wall replacement project encompassing 2.2 miles of 30-foot bollards was completed in October 2018, and there is also a project forthcoming approximately 11 miles in length.
The project will be split up into two areas, with the first being seven miles at the end of the newly constructed 2.2-mile wall near the Grand Plaza Outlets to the Pullium Road. The second is four miles from the downtown port of entry in Calexico, up to the end of landing mat fencing at Barbara Worth Road.
From Oct. 1, 2018, through Sept. 30, 2019, El Centro Sector Border Patrol statistics included the apprehension of 35,170 persons for illegal entry into the country – a 19 percent increase from fiscal year 2018. El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents seized 199 pounds of marijuana, and cocaine seizures decreased 62 percent. Methamphetamine seizures increased 62 percent to 2,684 pounds, and heroin seizures increased 77 percent to over 1,617 ounces.