CBP Officers at South Texas Ports of Entry Post Significant Increases in Hard Narcotics Seized in FY 2018

LAREDO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at eight South Texas ports of entry seized a significant amount of narcotics, unreported currency, weapons and uncovered numerous immigration violations during Fiscal Year 2018. Fiscal Year 2018 began October 1, 2017 and ended Sept. 30, 2018.

“Our frontline CBP officers continued to keep our border secure at South Texas ports of entry during FY 2018 as we interdicted significant volumes of hard narcotics such as methamphetamine and heroin. Increased implementation of intelligence-driven operations, analysis, crime scene investigation and information sharing has helped sharpen and maximize our effectiveness. We continue to carry out our border mission while facilitating lawful trade and travel at Laredo Field Office ports of entry and treating travelers with dignity, professionalism and respect,” said Director, Field Operations David P. Higgerson, Laredo Field Office.

During FY 2018, CBP officers at the eight ports of entry extending from Brownsville to Del Rio that comprise the Laredo Field Office seized 101,509 pounds of narcotics that would have commanded a combined estimated street value of $243 million. Specifically, they seized 84,077 pounds of marijuana; 7,083 pounds of cocaine; 7,560 pounds of methamphetamine, up 25 percent from FY 2017; 735 pounds of heroin, up 20 percent from FY 17, $4 million in unreported currency, 159 firearms and 127,146 rounds of ammunition.

CBP officers at Laredo Field Office ports of entry in FY 2018 also determined that a total of 45,160 non-U.S. citizens were inadmissible to the U.S. due to violations of immigration law.