Jason Owens, Chief of U.S Border Patrol, provided a glimpse into the staggering amount of narcotics seized along the southern border during the 2023 fiscal year. In a tweet on Sep 26th, Chief Owens revealed that the U.S Border Patrol (USBP) had confiscated over 69,000 pounds of narcotics between the ports of entry. The breakdown of the seizures includes more than 40,000 pounds of marijuana, 13,000 pounds of methamphetamine, 11,000 pounds of cocaine, and 2,700 pounds of fentanyl.
The amount of fentanyl alone is cause for alarm. According to an article on Yahoo News, the quantity of fentanyl seized by Border Patrol in the 2023 fiscal year is enough to kill the entire population of the United States. The article also highlights the record-setting migrant crisis at the border, which has added additional pressure on Border Patrol agents.
Fentanyl, among opioids, is the predominant drug being smuggled across the border. It is primarily produced in Mexico after importing "precursors" from China. The potent drug is then illegally transported into the United States through the southern border. Fentanyl is estimated to be 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, and it is often laced with other drugs without the user's knowledge.
While the current administration maintains that it has implemented effective measures to counter the influx of fentanyl, others are skeptical. The article states that Republican members of Congress are concerned about the situation at the border, accusing the Biden administration of exacerbating the crisis. Some are even calling for military intervention to target and dismantle cartel labs.
U.S. Rep. Mark Green, Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security, criticized Secretary Mayorkas and the Biden administration for their open border policies. According to the Federal Newswire, Chairman Green argued that the current administration's lax approach has allowed for a surge in dangerous drugs entering the country, impacting both Americans and migrants. He further highlighted that synthetic opioids like fentanyl cause an average of more than 150 overdose deaths each day.
The staggering amount of narcotics seized by the U.S Border Patrol underscores the ongoing challenges faced at the southern border. As the crisis continues to unfold, finding effective solutions to combat the smuggling of drugs, particularly fentanyl, remains a top priority for law enforcement agencies.
