CBP Officers, Agriculture Specialists in South Texas Post Significant Increases in Cocaine, Unreported Currency Seized in FY 2017

LAREDO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers and agriculture specialists at eight South Texas ports of entry seized a significant amount of narcotics, currency, false documents, and uncovered numerous immigration and agricultural violations during Fiscal Year 2017. Fiscal Year 2017 began October 1, 2016 and ended Sept. 30, 2017.

“While enforcement activity by our frontline CBP officers at Laredo Field Office ports of entry advanced at a steady clip in FY 2017, what distinguished this most recently completed fiscal year from previous years was a 72 percent increase in unreported currency and a 25 percent jump in seized cocaine. Amid significant port infrastructure improvement projects at multiple locations, our officers continue to realize our border security mission while facilitating lawful trade and travel at Laredo Field Office ports of entry and treating travelers with dignity, professionalism and respect,” said Director, Field Operations David P. Higgerson, Laredo Field Office.

During FY 2017, CBP officers at eight ports of entry extending from Brownsville to Del Rio that comprise the Laredo Field Office seized 156,452 pounds of narcotics that would have commanded a combined estimated street value of $216 million. Specifically, they seized 140,781 pounds of marijuana; 7,375 pounds of cocaine, up 25 percent from FY 2016; 7,560 pounds of methamphetamine, up 13 percent from FY 2016; 735 pounds of heroin, $6.6 million in unreported currency, up 72 percent from FY 2016, 118 firearms and 48,663 rounds of ammunition.

CBP officers at Laredo Field Office ports of entry in FY 2017 also determined that a total of 49,605 non-U.S. citizens were inadmissible to the U.S. due to violations of immigration law.