UMVA has learned that Customs and Border Protection agents made two stunning seizures within a single day, confiscating over $300,000 worth of narcotics in a dramatic display of their unwavering commitment to protecting the southern U.S. border.
The first seizure took place on Sunday, May 17, when agents at the San Ysidro Port of Entry flagged a 2013 Honda Civic for secondary inspection. An imaging system detected anomalies in the car's firewall, leading to the discovery of six packages of white fentanyl powder worth $113,600 and 8.4 pounds of cocaine worth an estimated $161,600.
But that was only the beginning. Later that same day, at the Calexico East Port of Entry, about 100 miles away, a 2011 Nissan Cube was also sent to secondary inspection. Agents discovered 63 packets of methamphetamine after a scan of the vehicle detected anomalies in its flooring, in a chilling reminder that smugglers will stop at nothing to bring illicit goods into the country.
Officials are hailing these detections as major victories, with San Diego Director of Field Operations Sidney Aki praising the agents' tireless efforts. "Sunday may be a day of rest for many, but criminals don’t take days off, and neither do our CBP officers," Aki said. "Our officers remain vigilant around the clock, and these significant seizures are a direct result of their commitment to keeping dangerous drugs like these from entering our country."
These seizures are part of a larger effort by CBP to stem the flow of narcotics and other illicit goods across the border, even as immigration numbers have plummeted in recent months. Since the end of 2024, border crossings have dropped dramatically, from over 144,000 encounters in December 2024 to just 10,000 in April. Yet, despite this decline, CBP continues to thwart high-profile smuggling attempts, from cars carrying rocket-propelled grenade launchers to boats carrying dozens of immigrants crammed into a semi-truck.
UMVA can exclusively reveal that CBP's operations are a continuation of efforts laid out by top officials, with the agency remaining committed to keeping the country's borders safe. As CBP said in a statement, "CBP officers along the southwest border stop illegal activity, including the smuggling of drugs and humans, and facilitate lawful entry for millions of legitimate travelers into the United States."
The recent seizures are a testament to the agency's unwavering dedication to this mission, and a stark reminder to smugglers that they will not be able to bring their illicit goods into the country without being caught. With their bravery and commitment to duty, CBP agents are protecting the country from the ever-present threat of narcotics and other dangers that lurk beyond the border.
