El Centro Border Patrol reveals 2019 highlights

The El Centro Sector Border Patrol has released its achievements for the 2019 fiscal year, showing their numbers for drug seizures and illegal entry apprehensions.

The Sector has continued with its tried and true strategies of maintaining a safe and controlled border. This control was obtained by identifying cross-border threats, taking advantage of partnerships with federal, state, and local agencies, and their rapid response to threats.

The El Centro Sector Border Patrol ( ECBP ) has continued with construction of the border wall in the Calexico region, expected to be completed in 2020.

From October 2018 through September 2019, the El Centro sector apprehended over 30 thousand individuals for crossing into the U.S. illegally, a 19 percent increase from the previous year.

The Sector says this increase is due to the increase in illegal crossings of individuals from countries other than Mexico — over 15 thousand.

ECBP agents seized nearly 200 pounds of marijuana, 61 pounds of Cocaine ⁠–​​​​​​​ a 62 percent decrease ⁠, –​​​​​​​ over 2,600 pounds of Methamphetamine, and 100 ounces of heroin.

Fentanyl seizures increased nearly 13 thousand percent, from . 3 pounds the previous year to 39 pounds this fiscal year.

ECBP says these accomplishments were not without putting their lives in danger. There were a total of 159 assaults on agents on duty, an increase from the previous fiscal year.

ECPB also rescued over 80 people compared to last year’s 14.

Over 2500 unaccompanied minors crossing illegally were processed, a .8 decrease from last year. Sector agents also processed nearly 8,000 family units, a 123 percent increase.

Acting Chief Patrol Agent Ryan J. Scudder attributes the El Centro Sector’s performance to new technology and the border wall system.

The sector consists of over 700 agents and patrols 72 miles of U.S. border shared with Mexico, along with three immigration checkpoints.