Local Border Patrol sees increase in drug seizures

Border Patrol El Centro Sector has experienced an increase of dangerous narcotics seizures within the past month when compared to last fiscal year, a Customs and Border Protection news release stated.

So far this 2020 fiscal year, the sector has seen a 93 percent increase in fentanyl and a 19 percent increase in methamphetamine seizures.

Within the last three weeks, the local Border Patrol has seized 411.59 pounds of meth, with an estimated street value of $772,831, and 32.48 pounds of fentanyl, with an estimated street value of $891,480.

The total drug seizures for the El Centro Sector in 2020-21 include

50.28 pounds of cocaine; 107.04 pounds of marijuana; 1,641.9 pounds of meth, 5.35 pounds of heroin and 60.18 pounds of fentanyl.

“These significant seizures have taken place at our immigration checkpoints and along our border in Calexico,” the news release stated. “In the midst of the pandemic, BP agents continue to protect our nation from all cross-border threats, including that of deadly and illicit substances.”