U.S. Border Patrol agents, operating along the southwest border, successfully seized over 1,000 pounds of narcotics during the past weekend, as stated by Chief Jason Owens. The announcement was made on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Chief Owens detailed the accomplishment in his statement: "This past weekend, USBP seized over 1K lbs. of controlled substances along the SW Border. That's over $5.8M worth of dangerous narcotics that will never see our communities. ~10 lbs. of Fentanyl ~128 lbs. of Meth ~149 lbs. of Cocaine ~812 lbs. of MJ."
In related news, Border Patrol agents from the San Diego sector confiscated over $3.6 million worth of fentanyl pills during a vehicle stop on Interstate 15 near Temecula, according to a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) news release. The driver was identified as a 24-year-old woman driving a gray sedan. A Border Patrol canine unit alerted agents to potential narcotics in the vehicle and a thorough inspection revealed 62 bundles containing 81 pounds of blue pills concealed within its door panels and seats.
Chief Patrol Agent Patricia D. McGurk-Daniel expressed her pride in the team's efforts saying, "Our agents are dedicated to keeping America safe", she further added, "We will continue to serve on the frontlines against fentanyl by disrupting and ultimately dismantling the drug trafficking organizations who profit from this poison."
The news release also reported that San Diego Sector Border Patrol agents seized more than 1,285 pounds of fentanyl during fiscal year 2023 as part of Operation Apollo - a collaborative initiative between municipal, state and federal agencies aimed at combating the risks posed by fentanyl in Southern California. Additionally, CBP reported seizing more than 27,000 pounds of fentanyl in fiscal year 2023 compared to over 14,600 pounds in fiscal year 2022.
Reflecting on his career, CBP Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner Troy Miller said, "In my 30 years as a customs official, the trafficking of synthetic illicit drugs like fentanyl is one of the toughest, most daunting challenges I have ever seen. Through this updated strategy, we will channel the incredible efforts of the men and women of CBP to keep this and other drugs out of the country."
