EL PASO, Texas – Fentanyl seizures along the U.S.-Mexico border have dropped significantly over the past fiscal year. According to data from the U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP), authorities seized 7,700 pounds of fentanyl during the first seven months of the current fiscal year. Compare that to 21,900 confiscated pounds in the previous fiscal year. That’s a decline of nearly 30%, and the numbers have dropped even more sharply when compared to the first half of 2023.
During February, March and April of this year, border agents seized less than 1,000 pounds of fentanyl per month—a level not seen since June 2022.
The downturn comes despite an intensified law enforcement presence at the border. The Trump administration has deployed thousands of additional troops and increased drone surveillance as part of its broader effort to combat fentanyl trafficking, which it has labeled a national security crisis. In March, the White House declared, “Narcotics of all kinds are pouring across our borders,” as it announced new tariffs on Mexico and Canada.
According to a report from The Washington Post, antidrug agents and researchers say the contradiction represents something of a mystery. They question whether Mexican cartels are producing less fentanyl, or they’re finding new ways to sneak it across the border, such as through tunnels or the mail.
Another potential factor is turmoil within the Sinaloa cartel, one of the primary suppliers of fentanyl to the U.S. market. According to The Washington Post, since September the organization has been embroiled in a violent internal power struggle between factions loyal to Joaquín “El Chapo” Guzmán’s sons and those aligned with longtime leader Ismael “El Mayo” Zambada. The infighting has reportedly left hundreds dead and may be disrupting fentanyl production and distribution.
The decline in fentanyl seizures mirrors broader trends seen with other illicit drugs. In April, agents confiscated only 18 pounds of heroin, and seizures of methamphetamine, ecstasy, and ketamine are also significantly down compared to last year.
