U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in the San Diego Field Office wrapped up April with an impressive haul, seizing over $7 million worth of narcotics in just two weeks. The busts included 134 pounds of cocaine, 3 pounds of heroin, 2,716 pounds of methamphetamine, and a significant 152 pounds of the deadly synthetic opioid fentanyl. These figures were confirmed in a statement released by the CBP on May 3.
Sidney Aki, the CBP Director of Field Operations for San Diego, highlighted the increase in drug smuggling attempts. "The incidence of narcotics smuggling continues to be on the rise," Aki said via CPB news report. That surge has met with keen eyes and sharper tactics from officers who, according to Aki, use "perceptive analysis and observations, discussions, and evolving patterns" to thwart smugglers. These efforts culminated in 84 separate interdiction events.
The interdicted drugs and the vehicles used to transport them were seized, and suspects were arrested and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations. This concerted clampdown involved multiple Ports of Entry under the San Diego Field Office's purview, from the bustling San Ysidro to the quieter Andrade.
Further bolstering their arsenal against these illicit incursions is Operation Apollo, an initiative rooted in intelligence and partnership, pinpointing fentanyl smuggling specifically. It began in Southern California in October 2023 and has since widened its net to include Arizona starting April 10. The scope of the problem is clear; as the CDC has reported, fentanyl is linked to more than 150 overdose deaths every day in the United States.
Cementing their role as the nation's protective barrier, CBP remains vigilant on multiple fronts. With a force of over 65,000 strong, their mission extends beyond drug interdiction. They facilitate legal travel and trade, buttress the economy, and champion national security through innovation and trust. More details about their recent achievements and ongoing operation Apollo can be accessed at CBP's website.
