Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel along the California border with Mexico recently reported that, in June, the agency seized 43,000 pounds of narcotics valued at nearly $92 million.
Officers at the six land ports of entry were able to foil numerous attempts to smuggle 34,685 pounds of marijuana, 7,661 pounds of methamphetamine, 635 pounds of cocaine, 166 pounds of heroin and 165 pounds of fentanyl, with the drugs being strapped to smugglers’ bodies and hidden in various areas of vehicles such as the gas tank, trunk, seats and quarter panels.
“These are impressive results, and no matter what is occurring in the country, CBP officers remain vigilant,” San Diego CBP Director of Field Operations Pete Flores said. “CBP officers’ determination and instincts led to the confiscation of these drugs to keep our country safe.”
Authorities indicated on June 4 at the Otay Mesa Cargo Port of Entry, CBP officers seized 11,000 pounds of marijuana in a shipment of limes – noting there were 468 large wrapped packages of marijuana; on June 8 at the Andrade Port of Entry, CBP officers intercepted 43 pounds of fentanyl pills and methamphetamine hidden in the quarter panels and trunk of a vehicle; and on June 24, CBP officers assigned to the San Sedro Port of Entry stopped 104 pounds of cocaine hidden in a compartment behind the backseats of a vehicle.