C.B.P. News Release

CBP in Arizona Averages 3 Tons of Marijuana Seized Daily

Joint Field Command Week In Review

(Thursday, March 03, 2011)

Tucson, Ariz. — The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Joint Field Command reports nearly 2,900 apprehensions, more than $16 million in narcotics seized, and approximately $420,000 in currency seized for the period of Feb. 21-27, along the Arizona border region.

The seizures consisted of more than 21,000 pounds of marijuana, nearly seven pounds of methamphetamines, more than 75 pounds of cocaine, more than four pounds of heroin, and 37 vehicles that were used for illicit purposes.

The $420,000 in illegal proceeds was intercepted during southbound operations at the ports.

During the reporting period, nearly 500 individuals apprehended were criminally prosecuted.

On March 1, CBP also announced that construction to replace an estimated 2.8 miles of outdated primary pedestrian fence along the U.S-Mexico border adjacent to the City of Nogales, Ariz., will begin in mid-March—part of CBP’s ongoing efforts to strengthen the security of the Southwest border in Arizona’s Tucson sector.

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.

Contacts For This News Release
Victor Brabble
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (202) 534-8310

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 2011_4.xml