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CBP’s Fiscal Year 2020 Border Enforcement in Review for the Caribbean

Release Date
Wed, 10/21/2020

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) released a summary today of fiscal year (FY) 2020 border enforcement efforts in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.  A CBP Officer inspects a package.

This Caribbean area effort is possible through collaborative operations and partnerships with other Federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, which have become an integral part of CBP’s procedures, in order to manage illicit activity throughout the area.   

Since 2017, CBP components in Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands have increases in the narcotics and currency seized.  

 

FY2017

FY 2018

FY2019

FY2020

Narcotics

 

101,307 pounds

 

 

37,378 pounds

 

 

90,852 pounds

 

72,111 pounds

Currency

 

$7,860,862.00

 

 

$8,214,862.72

 

 

$38,229,437

 

 

$48,800,000

 

Air Interdiction Agents patrol the west side of Puerto Rico CBP’s Air and Marine Operations (AMO) played a major role in the determent of illegal activity throughout our coasts, through the coordinated use of integrated air and marine forces to detect, interdict and prevent the unlawful movement of people, illegal drugs and other contraband in the area. AMO agents seized 39,683 pounds of narcotics and $12 million in currency. 

Throughout Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, Ramey Border Patrol agents arrested 380 individuals; 356 were illegal aliens and 24 were US citizens.  Out of all the illegal aliens apprehended, 141 (40%) had prior criminal history; 72 were prosecuted.  Ramey Border Patrol agents seized 10,490 pounds of narcotics.

Ramey Border Patrol agents, along with AMO and the US Coast Guard, interdicted 1,367 migrants were interdicted and repatriated to the point of embarkation.   Border Patrol ATV's patrol a beach in western Puerto Rico

During this time, Office of Field Operations’ CBP Officers seized 21,938 pounds of narcotics and arrested 60 individuals, of which 21 were wanted for crimes, including murder, rape, assault, and robbery.  CBP officers also denied entry to more than 5094 people who were inadmissible to the U.S. through air or sea ports of entry in Puerto Rico or the USVI.  Furthermore, $36. 8 million of undeclared currency was seized.  

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U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021