By SDCN Editor
San Diego, CA–U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to the San Diego Field Office seized approximately $1,755,500 million worth of narcotics in 12 separate incidents last April from suspected smugglers crossing through ports of entry on foot.
The narcotics were concealed under clothing and suspects ranged from 14 to 21 years of age in each of the associated incidents.
“It is evident that drug trafficking organizations continue to prey upon and exploit our youth,” said Sidney Aki, CBP Director of Field Operation for San Diego. “Juveniles need to understand that, regardless of what they hear, there are risks and consequences for smuggling narcotics. We will continue to work with our communities to raise awareness of these dangers.”
CBP officers seized a total of 3.85 pounds of cocaine, 45.17 pounds of methamphetamine, and approximately 79,300 fentanyl pills.
The suspects were arrested and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation. The narcotics were seized by officers. The San Diego Field Office, comprised of the San Ysidro, Otay Mesa, San Diego air and seaport, Calexico East/West, Tecate, and Andrade Ports of Entry, will continue to work closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement to crack down on drug smuggling. These efforts include youth engagement through CBP’s Border Community Liaison and School Resource Programs, as well as social media engagement and other awareness campaigns.
The seizures are the result of Operation Apollo, a holistic counter-fentanyl effort that began on October 26, 2023, in southern California, and expanded to Arizona on April 10. Operation Apollo focuses on intelligence collection and partnerships and utilizes local CBP field assets augmented by federal, state, local, tribal, and territorial partners to boost resources, increase collaboration, and target the smuggling of fentanyl into the United States.
The CDC states that more than 150 people die every day from drug overdoses related to synthetic opioids derived from fentanyl.
