U.S. Customs and Border Protection Ramps Up Drug Busts Under Trump’s Second Term

Major Fentanyl Seizure at the Southern Border

On February 15, 2025, CBP officers at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in California intercepted a staggering 1,200 pounds of fentanyl hidden within a shipment of produce crossing from Mexico. The seizure, one of the largest since Trump’s return to the White House, underscores the administration’s aggressive approach to targeting Mexican drug cartels, which Trump has moved to designate as terrorist organizations. The drugs, valued at over $25 million on the street, were concealed in a tractor-trailer, detected through advanced imaging technology and canine units. CBP officials credited the bust to heightened vigilance and expanded resources allocated under Trump’s executive orders aimed at bolstering border security.

Methamphetamine Haul in Arizona

Just a week later, on February 22, 2025, CBP agents at the Nogales Port of Entry in Arizona seized approximately 800 pounds of methamphetamine stashed inside a commercial vehicle. The drugs were cleverly hidden within hollowed-out furniture, a common smuggling tactic that CBP’s enhanced inspection protocols have increasingly thwarted. This bust, estimated to be worth $10 million, reflects the agency’s renewed authority under Trump’s administration, which has expanded deportation powers and resources for federal agencies like CBP to combat drug trafficking. Local officials hailed the operation as a win for communities battling the devastating effects of meth addiction.

Cocaine Intercepted at the Canadian Border

While much of the focus has been on the southern border, CBP has also made strides along the northern frontier. On March 5, 2025, officers at the Peace Bridge in Buffalo, New York, uncovered 150 pounds of cocaine concealed in a Canadian-registered truck. The seizure, though smaller than those at the Mexican border, highlights the administration’s broader strategy to address drug inflows from all entry points. Following Trump’s imposition of a 25% tariff on Canadian goods—partly justified as a measure to curb fentanyl trafficking—this bust has sparked debate about the effectiveness of such policies, given that cocaine, not fentanyl, was the drug in question. Nonetheless, CBP emphasized its commitment to disrupting all forms of narcotics smuggling.

Trump’s Policy Impact

These busts come amid a flurry of executive actions taken by President Trump since January 20. The termination of the CBP One app, which previously facilitated legal migrant entry under the Biden administration, has redirected agency resources toward enforcement and interdiction efforts. Additionally, Trump’s reinstatement of a national emergency at the southern border and the deployment of armed forces to assist CBP have signaled a zero-tolerance approach to drug trafficking. The administration has also increased deportation quotas and expanded the authority of agencies like the DEA and ICE, moves that officials say are already paying dividends in the fight against narcotics.

Challenges and Criticism

Despite these successes, the Trump administration’s tactics have not been without controversy. Critics argue that the focus on high-profile busts and militarized border security fails to address the root causes of drug trafficking, such as domestic demand and smuggling by U.S. citizens—who, according to past CBP data, account for a significant portion of fentanyl seizures at ports of entry. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) has also challenged Trump’s asylum bans and other immigration policies in court, claiming they violate constitutional rights and do little to stem the drug trade.

Looking Ahead

As of March 19, 2025, CBP’s drug interdiction efforts under Trump’s second term show no signs of slowing down. With the administration pushing forward on labeling cartels as terrorist organizations and imposing economic pressures on neighboring countries, the coming months will likely see even more aggressive enforcement. While the long-term impact on the drug trade remains uncertain, these recent busts demonstrate CBP’s heightened operational tempo and the tangible results of Trump’s border security agenda.

Stay tuned for updates as this story develops, and let us know your thoughts on the administration’s approach to tackling the drug crisis in the comments below!