CBP seizes 100M+ fentanyl doses along SWB in FY26

Agency reaches critical milestone, disrupting evolving trafficking networks

WASHINGTON-U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Office of Field Operations reached a critical milestone in the fight against fentanyl. This month, officers in the San Diego Field Office seized almost 10 pounds of fentanyl powder, bringing the total amount of illicit fentanyl seized along the southwest border in fiscal year 2026 to more than 100 million lethal doses.

"As the nation's border security agency, CBP is on the frontline against foreign terrorist organizations that threaten the safety and well-being of Americans," said CBP Commissioner Rodney S. Scott. "CBP is uniquely positioned to detect, identify, and seize illicit drugs like fentanyl before they enter our communities."

These significant seizures not only prevent fentanyl from reaching the American people, they also critically disrupt the illicit supply chains that fuel the nation's opioid crisis.

"People in the United States are dying from overdoses. Every fentanyl seizure, large or small, represents potential lives saved," said Executive Assistant Commissioner Diane J. Sabatino, with CBP's Office of Field Operations. "The tenacity of our officers, coupled with their ability to quickly adapt to changes in smuggling trends, directly demonstrates our dedication to protecting American families and communities from the devastating consequences of fentanyl poisoning."

In the last year, the U.S. experienced a dramatic shift in illegal migration trends, allowing CBP to pivot hundreds of officers and resources to enforcement efforts. This milestone is a direct result of these ongoing efforts. These interdictions highlight officers' unparalleled skill, judgment, and experience in detecting illicit fentanyl.

These efforts also include a rise in seizures involving methamphetamine and cocaine. In fiscal year 2026, CBP officers seized 152,000 pounds of methamphetamine, surpassing all of fiscal year 2025, and over 28,000 pounds of cocaine, surpassing fiscal year 2025 to date by around 6,000 pounds.

CBP seizures stem from a layered, multifaceted approach that includes intelligence, targeting, and officers' keen observation of travelers' behaviors, inconsistencies in stories, irregularities in paperwork, or discrepancies in cargo. These interdictions are often conducted under hazardous conditions, requiring specialized training and protective measures to safely handle these dangerous substances.

Smuggling Trends: Shift from Pills to Powder

FACT: Fentanyl powder contains more doses by weight than individual tablets. Doses vary depending on many factors. For powder, doses can vary based on purity and potency, so they are calculated using averages from seized material. One kilogram of powder can be pressed into roughly 75,000 typical fentanyl tablets. CBP assumes one pill is considered one dose.

OFO officers recognize fentanyl powder is easier to conceal, more concentrated, and can be mixed with other drugs, increasing its danger to the public. Fentanyl powder can be hidden in everyday items, mailed in small packages, or transported in bulk shipments. This evolving threat presents challenges for detection and enforcement at ports of entry. OFO's enhanced screening protocols and targeted intelligence driven operations are continuously adapted to address these risks and counter traffickers' evolving strategies.

Collaboration and Public Safety

OFO actively collaborates with federal, state, local, industry, and international partners to share intelligence and coordinate enforcement actions. OFO's frontline efforts are a critical component of CBP's commitment to protecting the American public from the dangers of fentanyl and supporting broader efforts to raise opioid awareness and prevent poisoning. This includes coordinated efforts to disrupt domestic pilling operations through focused targeting of illicit supply chains of pill presses and other material used for domestic tableting.

Fulfilling President Donald J. Trump's mandate, the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, under the leadership of DHS Secretary Markwayne Mullin, have delivered the most secure border in history, stopping dangerous criminal aliens and illicit narcotics from entering our communities, which will keep America safe for generations to come.

For more information about CBP's mission and ongoing initiatives to keep fentanyl off of the streets, visit https://www.cbp.gov or Frontline Against Fentanyl.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency. The 69,000+ men and women of CBP protect America on the ground, in the air, and on the seas. We enforce safe, lawful travel and trade and ensure our country's economic prosperity. We enhance the nation's security through innovation, intelligence, collaboration, and trust.

• Topics
• Drug Trafficking
• Fentanyl