Fiscal Year 2021 Saw 134% Increase In Fentanyl Seizures At Border, 73% Increase In Unaccompanied Children Since 2019
On Monday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection released data showing a dramatic increase in drug seizures and the amount of unique encounters with unaccompanied children in fiscal year 2021.
“The operational statistics for Fiscal Year 2021 show the breadth and scope of CBP’s mission, which encompasses travel and trade, drug interdiction, and border security,” CBP Commissioner Chris Magnus said. “CBP’s mission is vital to making our country safer and more secure, and important to our economic recovery.”
According to the report, CBP seized over 624,500 pounds of drugs in the time period, which runs from October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021. fiscal year 2021 saw a 68% increase in cocaine seizures, a 7% increase in methamphetamine seizures, a 6% decrease in heroin seizures, and a 134% increase in fentanyl seizures compared to fiscal year 2020.
In the last several years, fentanyl-related deaths have jumped in the United States, especially for people aged 18-45. Much of the illicit fentanyl coming into the country is believed to be from either Mexico or China. – READ MORE
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