U.S. immigration, border agencies emphasize enforcement actions during, after DNC

Federal agencies tasked with immigration enforcement and border security have been fast at work with enforcement actions over the last two weeks. Since the Democratic National Convention last week from August 19 to 22, the agencies have ramped up their reporting of enforcement actions.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported numerous seizures of illicit goods and arrests of charged and convicted illegal immigrants.

ICE conducted single adult and family removal flights between August 19 and August 23, according to an August 23 ICE press release. Removal affected noncitizens with no legal basis to be in the U.S.

ICE flew illegal immigrants – at taxpayer expense – to Albania, Central America, Colombia, Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Georgia, Mexico, Peru, Romania, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

CBP seized over $400,000 of alleged cocaine across two enforcement actions on August 19 and 20 at the Brownsville Port of Entry in Brownsville, Texas, according to an August 20 CBP press release. The first seizure occurred at the Veterans International Bridge. Agents there intercepted a 31-one-year Mexican male driving a 2006 International. Agents referred the male to secondary inspection for a canine and non-intrusive inspection system evaluation. Secondary inspection allegedly revealed nine hidden packages containing 20.96 pounds of cocaine.

The second seizure occurred at the Gateway International Bridge in Texas. Agents intercepted a 20-year-old American female driving a 2006 Ford. Secondary inspection revealed four hidden packages allegedly containing 8.99 pounds of cocaine.

CBP also claimed to have intercepted fentanyl at the Area Port of Nogales in Arizona, according to an August 22 CBP press release. Agents seized the illicit substance on August 19 from a woman attempting to enter the U.S. in a Dodge Ram truck. CBP referred the woman to secondary inspection, which revealed 50 packages containing fentanyl pills. The fentanyl seized weighed 99 pounds. The DEA says that fentanyl is "50 times more potent than heroin."

CBP seized over half a million dollars worth of cocaine on August 20, according to an August 23 CBP press release. Agents conducted a vehicle stop on Interstate 15 in Temecula, California. A canine alerted to the possible presence of narcotics. An inspection of the vehicle revealed cellophane-wrapped packages indicative of narcotics smuggling.

A thorough search revealed 31 packages hidden behind the dashboard. The packages, which weighed 81 pounds, tested positive for cocaine.

CBP intercepted over $460,000 of what may be cocaine on August 21 at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge, according to an August 23 CBP press release. Agents stopped a 38-year-old American woman who resides in Mexico driving a 2019 Dodge. A referral to secondary inspection revealed 15 hidden packages containing 34.48 pounds of alleged cocaine. 

CBP agents seized over five pounds of a precursor agent used to produce GHB, a common date-rape drug, on August 21, according to an August 26 CBP press release. Agents detained a 26-year-old American on arrival from Spain at the Atlanta airport. The inspection revealed two bottles containing a clear liquid.

A handheld elemental isotope analysis tool identified the liquid as GHL, the GHB precursor. GBL is a Schedule 1 narcotic in the U.S.

CBP seized shipments of fentanyl and methamphetamine on August 21, according to an August 28 CBP press release. Agents at the Area Port of San Luis in Arizona interdicted the illicit substances in two enforcement actions.

During the first incident, agents stopped a 71-year-old man driving a GMC SUV. A referral to secondary inspection revealed 30 packages containing more than 71 pounds of fentanyl powder and over 20 pounds of methamphetamine.

The second seizure involved a 56-year-old Mexican male driving a Ford Cargo van. A secondary inspection of the van uncovered 19 packages containing more than 180 pounds of fentanyl and 110 pounds of methamphetamine.

CBP seized nearly $500,000 of alleged cocaine during an August 22 inspection, according to an August 25 CBP press release. The seizure occurred at the Del Rio International Bridge in Texas. A secondary inspection of a Nissan Sports Utility Vehicle revealed 14 hidden packages of alleged cocaine weighing over 37 pounds.

CBP agents seized more than $1.8 million of alleged methamphetamine on August 22, according to an August 26 CBP press release. Agents intercepted a vehicle driven by a 27-year-old American male and referred the matter to secondary inspection. A physical inspection revealed 108 packages of alleged methamphetamine weighing 196 pounds.

CBP agents intercepted an American unlawfully in possession of multiple weapons on August 24, according to an August 26 CBP press release. Agents at the Port of Buffalo Peace Bridge border cross in New York intercepted a 36-year-old American male.

The driver could not produce travel documents when CBP requested them, so agents referred the man to a secondary inspection. The inspection revealed Eagle Arms AR-15, 143 rounds of .223 ammunition, six 30-round .223 ammunition magazines, and a Taurus G2S 9mm handgun.

A review of data from the National Crime Information Center showed prior convictions that disqualified the man from possessing firearms.

CBP agents seized more than $3 million of what is suspected to be cocaine on August 24, according to an August 27 CBP press release. The seizure occurred at the Rio Grande City International Bridge in Texas and involved a tractor trailer hauling coal. A secondary inspection of the vehicle revealed 228 pounds of alleged cocaine.

CBP agents seized more than $773,000 of alleged narcotics on August 24 and 25, according to an August 27 CBP press release. Agents at the Laredo Port of Entry in Texas seized 18.7 pounds of what is suspected to be cocaine valued at over $240,000 at the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge. Agents seized the substance from a 28-year-old Mexican female.

A second seizure on August 25 at the Gateway to the Americas Bridge revealed 53.79 pounds of what is suspected to be methamphetamine, 660 grams of cocaine, and 500 grams of black tar heroin. CBP agents seized the substances from a 28-year-old American female. The CBP estimates the street value of the alleged narcotics at more than $530,000.