CBP highlights end-of-year border security successes in El Paso

Sharp decline in illegal border crossings, and increase in narcotics seizures

EL PASO, Texas - U.S. Customs and Border Protection El Paso leadership held a press conference at the Bridge of the Americas port of entry Friday, highlighting end of fiscal year border security successes.

CBP El Paso Field Office Director Ray Provencio spoke about a significant increase in narcotics seizures at ports of entry in the past year. He also discussed weapons, ammunition, and illicit currency seizures.

"Our U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers are seizing two to three times more narcotics in some categories during inspections this fiscal year when compared to last year. Our CBP officers are also conducting southbound inspections to interdict illicit currency from narcotics sales, firearms and ammunition to deny the Mexican drug cartels arms and revenue," said Director Provencio. "Mexican cartels operating south of the border in our region have been declared Foreign Terrorist Organizations and anyone aiding or working for them can now be charged with material support for a terrorist organization (18 U.S. Code § 2339). Along with our other CBP components, the Homeland Security Joint Task Force, and our Department of Justice partners, we are taking a whole-of-government approach to dismantle the illegal activities of these drug cartels and other criminal organizations."

Provencio credited the skills of his CBP officers, nonintrusive inspection technology, low energy portals and canine teams for discovering and seizing more narcotics at the ports of entry.

U.S. Border Patrol Chief Patrol Agent Jesse Munoz said increased border security measures, stronger enforcement of Title 8 immigration laws, and more manpower along the border - including Border Patrol agents and Department of War military personnel - have resulted in a dramatic decrease in illegal border crossing in the Border Patrol's El Paso Sector in 2025 and 2026.

More infrastructure, including new border barrier and surveillance technology, have also helped Border Patrol agents during border security operations. Chief Munoz credits these measures with reducing illegal border crossings.

"In Fiscal Year 2023, El Paso Sector was seeing 2,700 encounters per day. Today the Sector is averaging less than 50 encounters per day," said Chief Munoz. "Our known got-away numbers are down to single digits. We have not released any illegal aliens into the interior of the country in last 17 months. We are seeing the most secure border in the history of our nation." El Paso Sector recorded less than 20,000 apprehensions in FY 2026, compared with more than 420,000 in FY 2023.

Chief Munoz also spoke about how Border Patrol agents have been using a multilayered enforcement strategy, which includes agents deployed along the border, anti-smuggling units that dismantle human smuggling transportation networks, and interior checkpoints to prevent illegal aliens and narcotics from being transported further into the country.

CBP Air and Marine Operations El Paso Director Efren Gonzalez discussed how AMO has secured the border, conducted humanitarian rescues, and provided air support to law enforcement partners during joint operations. During FY 2026, AMO's El Paso Air Branch personnel supported operations resulting in more than 2,000 apprehensions, 10 arrests, and nine rescues. Even with fewer apprehensions, El Paso Air Branch achieved significantly more narcotics, currency, weapons, and vehicle seizure results.

"El Paso Air Branch increased total narcotics seizures by more than 700% in Fiscal Year 2026, delivering a significant blow to transnational criminal organizations," said Director Gonzalez. "With the Homeland Security Task Force's support, we are bringing together the full capabilities of our federal, state, local, tribal, and international partners to find cartels, disrupt their operations, seize their drugs and illicit proceeds, and deny them the ability to profit from criminal activity that threatens American communities."

Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, the dedicated men and women of CBP, alongside our law enforcement partners and with the help of the Homeland Security Task Force, are eliminating criminal cartels, foreign gangs, transnational criminal organizations, human smuggling and drug trafficking networks.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 70,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air and on the seas. We enforce safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration and trust.

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