see also: in July 2007 News Releases:   CBP Air and Marine Acquires Helicopters for Border Security Mission   CBP Officers At El Paso Port Nab 50 Pounds Of Cocaine; Two Juveniles Taken Into Custody   CBP Border Patrol Agent Dies In the Line of Duty   Hong Kong to Scan U.S.-Bound Goods for Radiation as Part of Secure Freight Initiative   Border Patrol Assists in Third Canal Rescue in a Week   CBP Officers Apprehend Fugitive Wanted For Murder, Rape, Burglary   Operation Streamline Nets 1,200-Plus Prosecutions in Arizona ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Washington— U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol apprehensions are down 24 percent compared to the previous year along the southwest border, indicating a continued decline in illegal cross-border activity between ports of entry.

During the period Oct. 1-June 30, Border Patrol agents made 682,468 apprehensions along the nation’s southern border compared to 894,496 apprehensions during the same period last year. The Yuma, Ariz., and Del Rio, Texas, sectors experienced the greatest declines, with a decrease of 68 percent and 51 percent with 34,140 and 18,286 apprehensions respectively. The number of other-than-Mexican alien apprehensions dropped 48 percent along the southern border, which totaled 43,135 through the third quarter 2007. The decrease in other-than-Mexican apprehensions reduces the time agents spend transporting and processing, and increases time spent patrolling the border.

Under the Secure Border Initiative, CBP continues to enhance border security through a comprehensive approach of implementing innovative programs to include the expansion of expedited removal, Operation Streamline and Operation Jump Start as well as hiring additional Border Patrol agents, up to 6,000 by the end of 2008. The integration of proven technology, tactical infrastructure and CBP’s increased ability to detain other-than-Mexican’s, provides Border Patrol agents additional tools that support the border security mission.

Additionally, Border Patrol agents have seized more than 1.478 million pounds of marijuana (a 27 percent increase) and 9,514 pounds of cocaine (a 22 percent increase) compared to the same period in fiscal year 2006 along the southwest border (Oct. 1- June 30). Agents in the Tucson, Ariz., sector accounted for 48 percent of the southern border marijuana seizures with 710,337 pounds and the Rio Grande Valley sector accounted for 60 percent of the cocaine seizures with 5,740 pounds. The combined estimated value of the narcotics is $1.487 billion.

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 the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.