CBP Stops $19.1M in Drugs, $430K in Cash in Arizona

Joint Field Command Week in Review

Tucson, Ariz. — The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Arizona Joint Field Command is reporting the seizure of approximately 27,579 pounds of narcotics with an estimated value of more than $19.1 million and the apprehension of 2,612 illegal aliens at the Arizona border for the period of May 30 – June 5.

The narcotics seizures consisted of more than 27,178 pounds of marijuana, 2.4 pounds of heroin, 298 pounds of methamphetamines and 101 pounds of cocaine. CBP also intercepted $431,446 in illegal outbound currency, one weapon and seized 21 vehicles used for illicit purposes. \

Since launching the Southwest Border Initiative in March 2009, the Department of Homeland Security under Secretary Janet Napolitano has engaged in an unprecedented effort to bring focus and intensity to Southwest border security, coupled with a reinvigorated, smart and effective approach to enforcing immigration laws in the interior of our country.

The Joint Field Command integrates the combined assets of the Tucson and Yuma Border Patrol Sectors, the Office of Field Operations Tucson Field Office, and the Office of Air and Marine’s Tucson and Yuma Air Branches, enabling CBP leadership in the Arizona area of operations to direct an integrated approach to our mission of border security, commercial enforcement and trade facilitation.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.