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Seizures of heroin and marijuana have also declined for several years, with marijuana reaching a 20-year low. Drug traffickers tried to outsmart authorities by stuffing narcotics into a vehicle’s roof, but federal officers shut down the scheme and seized nearly $3 million in fentanyl and methamphetamine in two rapid-fire busts this April.
At the San Ysidro Port of Entry, US Customs and Border Protection officers made the biggest hit on April 19 after stopping a 27-year-old Mexican national driving a 2019 Honda Pilot.
A scan flagged something suspicious above the cabin.
A CBP canine team confirmed it.
Officers tore into the roof of the vehicle and uncovered 94 hidden packages.
Inside — roughly 35 pounds of fentanyl powder valued at nearly $2 million — along with more than 80 pounds of methamphetamine worth about $80,550.
Authorities seized the narcotics and the SUV.
The driver was arrested and now faces federal charges for importing drugs.
Just days earlier on April 13, officers at the same crossing intercepted another shipment hidden inside a vehicle’s rear quarter panels.
A 20-year-old Mexican citizen driving a 2025 Toyota Corolla, who was enrolled in CBP’s program for low-risk travelers, was flagged after a canine alerted authorities.
A scan revealed anomalies in the panels, where officers found six packages containing 14.02 pounds of fentanyl powder, equivalent to about 509,818 pills, with an estimated street value of $764,727.
The suspect was arrested.
Authorities seized the drugs, the vehicle and phone. Federal prosecutors have taken over the case.
“Smugglers use complex techniques to conceal dangerous narcotics like fentanyl and methamphetamine,” said San Ysidro Port Director Mariza Marin.
“I am proud of the unwavering dedication of our CBP officers, supported by our canine teams and advanced inspection technology,” Marin continued.
“Their efforts directly prevent these deadly narcotics from reaching our streets and protecting countless lives.”
The enforcement push comes as border operations continue under the leadership of President Donald Trump, with officials pointing to broader trends they say reflect tighter border control.
According to administration figures, total nationwide encounters in March 2026 remained below 9,000, extending a 14-month stretch of historically low apprehensions along the southwest border.
Officials also report 11 consecutive months of zero releases of illegal immigrants into the US interior as of April 2026.
The same data shows fentanyl seizures at the southern border fell to 11,486 pounds in 2025, the lowest since 2021 and a 46% drop from 2024.
Seizures of heroin and marijuana have also declined for several years, with marijuana reaching a 20-year low.
Meanwhile, enforcement activity in Southern California remains intense.
The San Diego Field Office reported that between April 19 and 25, agents seized nearly $200,000 in additional contraband, confiscated almost 5,100 pounds of narcotics and made 97 arrests.
At the Otay Mesa Port of Entry, officers also intercepted more than 158 pounds of methamphetamine, signaling that traffickers are still attempting bold smuggling tactics, even as authorities ramp up pressure along the border.
English (US)