As a result of intensifying efforts by multiple law enforcement agencies, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced in a series of statements in July that record amounts of illicit fentanyl and other dangerous drugs, as well as hauls of illegal weaponry have been seized.
Through two programs dubbed “Operation Plaza Spike” and “Operation Apollo,” officials say that as of June in FY 2024, over 15,000 pounds of fentanyl have been seized, exceeding the total amounts from the previous eight fiscal years combined. Despite a 17 percent decrease in nationwide drug seizures from May to June, CBP notes that significant quantities of drugs and firearms continue to be intercepted at the border.
In early July, U.S. Border Patrol agents from the El Centro Sector intercepted a cache of weapons, magazines, and ammunition during a traffic stop on Interstate 10 in Indio, California.
U.S. Border Patrol agents from the El Centro Sector intercepted a cache of weapons, magazines, and ammunition during a traffic stop on Interstate 10 in the Chiriaco Summit area of Indio, California. A Border Patrol K-9 team detected the contraband and discovered 28 rifles, one handgun, 30 high-capacity magazines, and 2,210 rounds of ammunition hidden in two duffle bags. The CBP said that agents arrested the driver, a U.S. citizen, and turned over the confiscated items to a local law enforcement task force.
El Centro Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gregory Bovino emphasized the dedication of Border Patrol agents in combating smuggling operations.
“Smugglers are all cut from the same dirty cloth. They’ll do anything for profit, including trafficking children, drugs, or in this case, weapons headed to Mexico,” Bovino said. “Conversely, our agents are forged differently — winners, ready to take it to criminals anywhere, anytime, anyplace, as this excellent arrest indicates.”
Less than a week later, CBP officers disclosed that at the Calexico East Commercial Facility, they intercepted 515.74 pounds of methamphetamine concealed in wooden furniture cabinets. A 29-year-old male driver applying for admission from Mexico with a shipment of wooden furniture was referred to a secondary inspection. Using non-intrusive scanning technology, officers detected irregularities in the furniture, revealing false compartments containing 49 packages of methamphetamine with an estimated street value of $928,000. The driver was handed over to Homeland Security Investigations, and the narcotics and truck were seized.
