Big Drug Seizures Along US-Mexico Border Ring Out 2024
Neither Mexican Drug Smugglers nor US Federal Officers took time off as 2024 came to a close.
Federal Officers along the US-Mexico Border are ringing in the New Year with announcements of large drug busts. The largest was reported at a busy Texas border crossing: 2,708.15 pounds of marijuana worth $6,058,468.
US Customs & Border Protection (CBP) Officers inspecting a tractor-trailer on Laredo's World Trade Bridge made the discovery three days after Christmas.
Just a day earlier CBP Officers on the same International Bridge discovered another large load of drugs inside another tractor-trailer crossing into the US. The trailer was supposed to be loaded with buckets of roof sealant but officers discovered something else mixed in with that shipment: 29.80 lbs of meth worth $266,452.
The drivers of both tractor-trailers were arrested. Homeland Security Investigations Special Agents are investigating the smuggling attempts.
CBP Officers at the San Ysidro, California Port of Entry also made some notable drug seizures to close out 2024:
They seized 25 pounds of blue fentanyl pills, 4 pounds of white fentanyl powder, 2 pounds of heroin, and 207 pounds of meth in two separate incidents just hours apart. More than 200 drug-laden packages were found hidden in the vehicles' roofs, doors, & seats.
Meanwhile, CBP Officers in Otay Mesa, California are also reporting a large seizure:
A registered "Trusted Traveler" attempted to smuggle 144 pounds of meth hidden under the seats, quarter panels, spare tire, and gas tank of a vehicle being driven through the SENTRI lanes.
A week ago at that same border crossing CBP Agents arrested another motorist attempting to smuggle drugs into the country which were also hidden throughout his car:
Officers seized 12 lbs. of white fentanyl powder and 47 lbs. of meth in that smuggling attempt.
Nogales, Arizona Station Border Patrol Agents also broke up a large smuggling attempt: They seized 50 lbs. of methamphetamine at the I-19 Checkpoint.
In all of 2024, US Customs & Border Protection Officers seized over 173,000 pounds of methamphetamine, a 24% increase from FY 2023. CBP seized over 173,000 pounds of marijuana as well, a 16% increase from FY 2023. CBP's fentanyl seizures increased 31% nationwide from August to September, totaling nearly 22,000 pounds of fentanyl.
Should the US further tighten its borders to prevent smugglers from bringing dangerous drugs into the country?
Share your opinion in the comments on this article!
Abrazos,
Jack Beavers
