Seizures of fentanyl see staggering rise at southern border

Seizures of fentanyl have seen a staggering rise at the U.S.-Mexico border, specifically in the El Paso, Texas, region.

Agents in Border Patrol’s El Paso Sector have seized approximately 41 pounds of fentanyl in fiscal 2021 thus far, according to data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

For comparison, agents seized about 9.5 pounds in all of fiscal 2020, two pounds in fiscal 2019, and just 1.5 pounds in fiscal 2018.

Overall, fentanyl seizures across the border are already far above fiscal 2020.

Border patrol agents have seized 769.4 pounds of fentanyl at the southern border in fiscal 2021 thus far. In fiscal 2020, 786.4 pounds were seized.

Officials with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) told NBC News that fentanyl is highly profitable, extremely potent and easier to smuggle into the U.S., making it a drug of choice for cartels.

The DEA’s Washington Division on Tuesday warned of an increase in drug overdose deaths tied to counterfeit pills containing fentanyl. The pills are marketed as medication like oxycontin, but are laced with fentanyl.

According to the agency, just as little as 2 milligrams of fentanyl can be lethal.

Seizures of methamphetamine also appear to be increasing, according to CBP data. In May 2021 alone, agents seized 1,403 pounds of methamphetamine, compared with 852 in May 2020.