Tucson, Ariz. — The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Arizona Joint Field Command is reporting the seizure of more than 17,536 pounds of narcotics, with an estimated value of more than $10.2 million and the apprehension of 1,777 illegal immigrants at the Arizona border Aug. 15-21.
Narcotics seizures consisted of more than 17,393 pounds of marijuana, 119 pounds of cocaine and 24 pounds of heroin. CBP also intercepted four weapons, $881,443 in illegal outbound currency and 40 vehicles used for illicit purposes.
Since the beginning of fiscal year 2011, CBP in Arizona has apprehended more than 119,000 illegal immigrants and seized in excess of 1,058,000 pounds of marijuana. This represents a 43 percent decrease in apprehensions and a one percent increase in marijuana seizures when compared to the same period in fiscal year 2010. CBP credits this success to the integrated border enforcement effort in Arizona and significant increases in personnel, technology and tactical infrastructure.
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 Arizona to direct an integrated approach to our mission of border security, commercial enforcement and trade facilitation.
