U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in the San Diego Field Office seized more than $67 million worth of illegal narcotics during July, according to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The seizures occurred across seven ports of entry along the California-Mexico border.
During the month of July, CBP officers intercepted 8,359 pounds of drugs in 144 smuggling attempts. The confiscated substances included 553 pounds of fentanyl, 36 pounds of heroin, 2,572 pounds of cocaine, and 5,077 pounds of methamphetamine.
In a separate incident earlier in August, CBP officers at the San Ysidro Port of Entry found 16 pounds of fentanyl, with an estimated street value of nearly $240,000, hidden within an electric moped. The individual attempting to smuggle the drugs was identified as a 22-year-old Mexican citizen.
Sidney Aki, CBP San Diego Director of Field Operations, stated that the significant seizures reflect the officers' "vigilance, professionalism, and commitment to keeping dangerous drugs out of the United States."
Authorities also reported interdictions of weapons. CBP previously announced that officers stopped a vehicle attempting to cross from Arizona into Mexico that was carrying a rocket-propelled grenade launcher tube, four rifles, an AK-style pistol, 16 AK rifles, 24 rifle magazines, 16 rifle stocks, and 20 pistol grips.
