EXCLUSIVE: Border Releases Fall To Lowest Number ‘Not Seen In Over Three Decades’
'The days of catch and release are over.'
Exclusive: CBP stops $984K worth of suspected cocaine from crossing border into Texas
Customs and Border Protection agents prevented more than $984,000 worth of suspected cocaine from crossing the U.S.-Mexico border into Texas last weekend, according to a press release obtained exclusively by Blaze News.
“Under the leadership of President Donald J. Trump and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers along the southwest border stop illegal activity and facilitate lawful entry for millions of legitimate travelers into the United States,” the press release read.
'These drugs will not reach American streets thanks to the continuous vigilance of our frontline officers.'
CBP highlighted two separate incidents that the agency claimed occurred at the Laredo Field Office ports of entry.
On Friday, federal officers at the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge in Laredo referred the driver of a 2020 Nissan Frontier for a secondary inspection, which included a canine unit and a nonintrusive inspection system examination. CBP officers discovered several packages of suspected cocaine, totaling 50.75 pounds, with an estimated street value of $677,617, concealed within the vehicle, the press release said.
CBP seized the suspected narcotics, and Homeland Security Investigations special agents arrested the driver, a 56-year-old male Mexican citizen.
RELATED: Exclusive: CBP stops 300+ hatching eggs at the border — possibly preventing bird flu outbreak
The following day, CBP officers at Camino Real Bridge in Eagle Pass seized another 22.97 pounds of suspected cocaine after they referred a 53-year-old male Mexican citizen for a secondary inspection, the press release said. Federal agents discovered 13 packages of suspected narcotics, with an estimated street value of $306,723, hidden within the driver’s 2015 Toyota Camry.
He was also arrested by HSI special agents, who are investigating both incidents.
RELATED: EXCLUSIVE: CBP dogs on high alert as World Cup-destined third-worlders smuggle in rotten souvenirs
“These back-to-back cocaine seizures at different ports of entry within the Laredo Field Office area of responsibility underscore not only the reality of the drug threat we face daily, but our officers’ keen ability to apply inspection experience and technology to take down these drug loads,” stated Donald Kusser, the director of field operations for the Laredo Field Office. “These drugs will not reach American streets thanks to the continuous vigilance of our frontline officers.”
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Exclusive: CBP stops 300+ hatching eggs at the border — possibly preventing bird flu outbreak
Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists have discovered hundreds of hatching eggs that could be carrying infectious diseases packed in layers of foam, according to a press release obtained exclusively by Blaze News.
The 337 eggs, incorrectly manifested as “winter jackets,” were shipped from Germany and headed to Alaska. CBP revealed that the items, seized on May 27, lacked proper documentation.
‘These interceptions highlight the vigilance and dedication our CBP agriculture specialists demonstrate daily.’
“Hatching eggs include all avian species, including poultry, game birds, racing pigeons, and other birds,” the CBP reported.
“These live eggs are shipped to the United States for hatching or reproductive purposes. Upon arrival, the eggs would be incubated, hatched, and raised,” the CBP continued. “For agricultural purposes, hatching eggs fall under regulations for live animals and are highly regulated because they can carry Newcastle disease and avian influenza.”
The eggs were seized and turned over to the local U.S. Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. The CBP noted that the USDA does not allow the importation of hatching eggs from countries that have highly pathogenic avian influenza.
The department warned that such unauthorized shipments risk spreading diseases that could impact the U.S. food supply.
Since the start of an avian influenza outbreak in Feb. 2022, nearly 207 million birds in the U.S. have been affected, according to the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service. Outbreaks have occurred in over 2,000 flocks in all 50 states and one territory.
RELATED: PAYBACK: No $10K fine for owners of slain ostriches
“Our nation’s food supply is constantly at risk from diseases not known to occur in the United States,” stated Eric Zizelman, the port director for the Port of Cincinnati. “These interceptions highlight the vigilance and dedication our CBP agriculture specialists demonstrate daily. Our specialists mitigate the threat of non-native pests, diseases, and contaminants entering the United States. They ensure the United States is safe from harmful diseases that could affect our food supply.”
CBP encouraged international travelers to declare all items acquired abroad and advised those who wish to bring plant and animal materials or other agricultural items to first consult the CBP Information Center section on the agency’s website.
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Exclusive: Elderly American allegedly tries to traffic $455K worth of cocaine and ketamine across US border
A 75-year-old American citizen was arrested while trying to cross the border into the U.S. after Customs and Border Protection officers discovered numerous packages of alleged illegal narcotics in his vehicle, according to a CBP press release obtained exclusively by Blaze News.
Federal authorities apprehended the suspect, who was driving a 2011 Volvo XC60, on Friday while crossing the Juarez-Lincoln Bridge at the Laredo Port of Entry in Texas.
'Our officers' vigilance and dedication continue to play a critical role in safeguarding the border and preventing narcotics from reaching our streets.'
A CBP officer referred the suspect to a secondary inspection, which involved a canine and nonintrusive inspection system examination. Officers reportedly uncovered 14 packages containing nearly 33 pounds of alleged cocaine and 288 grams of alleged ketamine within the vehicle.
According to CBP, the illegal narcotics have a $455,822 street value.
The suspect was placed in custody, and CBP seized the alleged narcotics and vehicle. Homeland Security Investigations special agents are investigating the seizure.
RELATED: Exclusive: Border Patrol discovers 19 people hiding in drainage system trying to illegally enter US
"This seizure of cocaine and ketamine at the Laredo Port of Entry demonstrates our ongoing commitment to protecting our communities from dangerous drugs and illicit activity," stated Alberto Flores, the port director for the Laredo Port of Entry.
"Our officers' vigilance and dedication continue to play a critical role in safeguarding the border and preventing narcotics from reaching our streets," Flores added.
RELATED: 6 people found dead in boxcar in Texas border town, police say
CBP credited President Donald Trump, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, and CBP officers for stopping illegal activity and facilitating the lawful entry of legitimate travelers across the southern border.
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Exclusive: Border Patrol discovers 19 people hiding in drainage system trying to illegally enter US
U.S. Border Patrol agents in San Diego discovered 19 people, including convicted drug traffickers, hiding in a drainage system near the border, according to a Customs and Border Protection press release exclusively obtained by Blaze News.
On the evening of May 4, Border Patrol agents from the Chula Vista Station, using the Remote Video Surveillance System, detected “suspicious activity” near the drainage tunnels. When they responded to the scene, they found a group of individuals attempting to illegally enter the U.S. through the drainage system.
'If you try to illegally cross our border, we will catch you and arrest you.'
They arrested 19 suspects, 16 adults and three unaccompanied minors, all of whom are Mexican citizens.
“The dedicated men and women of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, alongside our law enforcement partners, have arrested and removed thousands of criminal aliens from the country — including gang members, rapists, kidnappers, and drug traffickers — to make our communities safer,” the CBP stated.
Raudel Carrillo-Padilla, 35, and his brother, Ivan Carrillo-Padilla, 31, were among those arrested. The two had previously been deported from the U.S. following a 2017 conviction for possession, transport, and intent to sell methamphetamine in Yreka, California. Ivan Carrillo-Padilla was deported a second time after he was arrested in 2019 for a drug-related interdiction stop in Eugene, Oregon.
RELATED: 6 people found dead in boxcar in Texas border town, police say
All of the suspects were transported to the Chula Vista Station for processing. They will face either removal or federal prosecution, the CBP’s press release stated.
“These smuggling attempts are not only dangerous, but they also frequently involve individuals who pose a threat to public safety,” San Diego Sector Chief Patrol Agent Justin De La Torre said. “Thanks to the vigilance of our agents and the effective use of surveillance technology, this group — which included convicted drug traffickers — was apprehended before they could move further into our communities. If you try to illegally cross our border, we will catch you and arrest you.”
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Why Blackpilling On Trump Is Stupid
Despite disappointments, there are still many good reasons why America First patriots should not despair but instead continue to support Trump.2 GOP senators side with Democrats to block ICE, CBP funding
The Senate worked overnight to advance the GOP's budget resolution to fund immigration enforcement to the tune of $70 billion in an effort to end the Democrat-induced shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security.
From Wednesday afternoon to the early hours of Thursday morning, senators voted on a slew of amendments to advance Republicans' legislation to fund Immigration and Customs Enforcement as well as Customs and Border Protection.
'Democrats will once again demonstrate to the American people their support for open borders.'
This legislative marathon comes amid the ongoing DHS shutdown that began in mid-February. In March, the Senate approved a funding package to fund all of DHS except ICE and CBP in a 2:00 a.m. voice vote, but it was rejected by the House. The House passed its own 60-day continuing resolution to fund the department in its entirety, but it was not advanced in the Senate.
The Senate budget ultimately advanced mostly along party lines in a 50-48 vote just before 3:30 a.m., with Republican Sens. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska and Rand Paul of Kentucky voting with Democrats against the immigration funding.
RELATED: Senate approves DHS funding — but there's a catch
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) lashed out at Republicans for funding "rogue agencies," claiming they are out of touch with everyday Americans.
“What kind of bubble are they living in?" Schumer asked. "How apart are they with people’s real needs?”
Despite the Democrats' predictable disapproval of the funding bill, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) remains optimistic that the House will cooperate with the Senate to fund these key agencies. Earlier this month, both Thune and Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) agreed on a "two-track approach" that would partially reopen DHS while funding immigration enforcement separately.
"In following this two-track approach, the Republican Congress will fully reopen the Department, make sure all federal workers are paid, and specifically fund immigration enforcement and border security for the next three years so that those law-enforcement activities can continue uninhibited," a joint statement between Thune and Johnson reads. "In return, Democrats will once again demonstrate to the American people their support for open borders and keeping criminal illegal immigrants in America."
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