U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers operating out of the San Diego Field Office seized more than $9 million worth of narcotics in one week.
From Feb. 19 to Feb. 25, officers intercepted 42 distinct smuggling attempts and captured 554 pounds of cocaine, 229 pounds of fentanyl, and 1,650 pounds of methamphetamine, according to a CBP release published on Thursday.
“By bolstering binational cooperation, sharing intelligence, and strengthening law enforcement efforts, CBP is stemming the tide of these transnational criminal organizations,” said Sidney Aki, CBP director of field operations for San Diego.
“CBP continues to maintain a robust enforcement posture and successfully prevents these dangerous drugs from reaching our communities.”
The total worth of the seized narcotics, which were captured as part of Operation Apollo, is estimated to be $9,119,500, officials said.
“Suspects in these incidents were arrested and turned over to Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation and processing,” the release read. “The narcotics and any associated vehicles used to smuggle the drugs were seized by CBP officers.”
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Officers with the San Diego Field Office are set to continue their cooperation with state and federal agencies to combat the drug smuggling that is ailing the border.
“Operation Apollo is a joint regional operation comprised of federal, state, and local agencies working to combat the threat from fentanyl, and other illicit synthetic narcotics,” according to the release.
