In August, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the San Diego Field Office seized over 10,000 pounds of narcotics worth more than $21 million in 108 separate incidents. The narcotics intercepted included 9,000 pounds of methamphetamine, nearly 1,000 pounds of cocaine, and 300 pounds of fentanyl. These seizures are part of ongoing CBP operations to intercept and prevent the trafficking of illicit drugs into the country. In the 2023-2024 Fiscal Year, CBP officers in San Diego have confiscated over 109,000 pounds of drugs.
This significant drug haul in August marks the largest seizure by the San Diego Field Office since May, when a haul worth $38 million was confiscated. From May 1 to May 31, law enforcement officials seized 4.31 pounds of marijuana, 21.73 pounds of heroin, 913.9 pounds of cocaine, 561.91 pounds of fentanyl, and 16,408.94 pounds of methamphetamine in 165 separate smuggling attempts. All suspects involved in these drug seizures have been arrested and handed over to Homeland Security Investigations for further criminal investigation. The San Diego Field Office continues to work towards protecting its borders, safeguarding the nation, and ensuring the safety of its communities.
Methamphetamine was the most commonly seized drug by the San Diego Field Office, with 89,000 pounds discovered by authorities. The San Diego office oversees several ports of entry in Southern California, including San Ysidro, San Diego Airport and Seaport, Otay Mesa, Tecate, Calexico East/West, and Andrade. This recent drug seizure is part of a series of drug busts in recent months, with one port of entry on the U.S.-Mexico border seeing over a ton of drugs found in July alone. CBP officers at the Otay Mesa Commercial Facility captured over 600 pounds of meth hidden in a shipment of celery and more than $5 million-worth of methamphetamine in a shipment of watermelons.
CBP officers at the San Diego Field Office are dedicated to utilizing cutting-edge technology and building partnerships to disrupt drug smuggling operations and prevent narcotics from entering communities. Sidney K. Aki, CBP director of field operations for San Diego, highlighted the successful efforts of the San Diego Field Office in dismantling transnational criminal organizations. These efforts underscore the commitment to enhancing capabilities to combat drug smuggling. The CBP continues to work diligently to protect the country’s borders and communities from the dangers of illicit drugs.
