Drug seizures and Arizona-Mexico border crossings drop, Tucson Border Patrol announce

For people who cross the Arizona border for work, shopping, school or family visits, the latest figures from U.S. Customs and Border Protection point to a quieter but still heavily monitored border around Tucson. Officials say migrant crossings and fentanyl seizures have declined sharply in the Tucson Sector, while ports of entry are preparing to test new vehicle inspection technology. At the same time, authorities warn that drug trafficking remains active, cocaine seizures are increasing, and the desert continues to pose serious risks for anyone attempting to cross outside official ports.

During a press conference Wednesday, Stephen Cristinzio, acting deputy chief border patrol agent for the Tucson Sector, said the number of fentanyl seizures fell 61% over the past two fiscal years. The total quantity seized also declined, dropping 30% between fiscal years 2025 and 2026. Cristinzio said migrant crossings decreased 96% between fiscal year 2024 and the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30. The Tucson Sector covers much of the Arizona border region that includes the area surrounding Tucson, making those changes relevant to local law enforcement, humanitarian groups and residents who live near remote desert routes.

The figures do not mean drug activity has disappeared. Roque Caza, director of field operations for the Tucson office, said officers confiscated more than 15,000 pounds of fentanyl, methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine in 2025. Arizona ports accounted for 30% of fentanyl seizures across the country last year, according to Caza. This year, the number of fentanyl seizures at ports of entry has risen 10% compared with last year, but individual shipments have become smaller. Officers are finding drugs more deeply concealed, especially in passenger vehicles traveling through land ports.

Caza said the overall amount of fentanyl is lower, as is the amount of methamphetamine, but cocaine seizures have increased in Arizona. He described the pattern as a shift in the drugs and methods being encountered rather than an end to trafficking. Officials also reported seizing more than 250,000 rounds of ammunition in 2025. Caza said cooperation with Mexican customs officials, military personnel and federal police is necessary to prevent firearms and ammunition from reaching cartels. He added that the agency does not consider the current results sufficient, saying even a small amount of fentanyl getting through represents more work for authorities in Arizona and elsewhere in the country.

The reported decline comes as a federal watchdog has raised concerns about the government’s ability to pursue fentanyl cases. A Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General report released in August said technology and information problems at Homeland Security Investigations hindered active fentanyl investigations. The report also said fentanyl investigations decreased 24% from 2024 to 2025 as the agency’s priorities shifted toward immigration enforcement. The Tucson Sector’s own agents, however, said they are encountering fentanyl less frequently at checkpoints and in backpacks carried through the desert.

Border crossings have also fallen, and officials said rescues have declined along with them. Greg Tolley, deputy director of Tucson Air and Marine Operations, said rescue work remains a major part of the agency’s mission because the Sonoran Desert is dangerous. Cristinzio said encounters with people in distress often turn a law enforcement response into a humanitarian rescue. He said agents remain responsible for helping people who need aid, even as the agency’s primary mission involves enforcement and countering drug cartels.

The future of water access in remote areas is less certain. The federal government recently denied permits for Humane Borders, a nonprofit that provides humanitarian assistance to migrants, in areas where the group had placed water stations. The decision affects roughly 30% of the organization’s stations. Cristinzio said CBP headquarters has not discussed replacing that aid, but he said agency teams remain available to assist people in danger. He also said decisions restricting access to land for humanitarian groups are not made by CBP, while acknowledging that access to water can be essential for people in distress.

At the official ports, CBP is preparing changes intended to improve vehicle inspections. Caza said new inspection technology should be ready for testing within 30 days at the Nogales and San Luis ports. The Tucson Sector is already using less intrusive systems, including X ray devices. The goal is to detect concealed drugs and other contraband without relying exclusively on more disruptive inspections. Officials did not provide a specific date for broader implementation, but the planned testing could affect traffic patterns and wait times for people who regularly travel through Arizona’s ports.

Staffing and seasonal traffic will also be an issue, especially for agricultural workers. Caza said the agency plans to add personnel so that heavy traffic during the agricultural season does not prevent workers from crossing. He identified San Luis and other Arizona ports as important routes for people employed in agriculture. Funding for additional employees must pass through Congress and receive presidential approval, he said, and enforcement responsibilities will remain the first priority. For Tucson area residents and businesses connected to cross border commerce, the coming months will show whether new inspection systems and staffing plans can improve security without creating longer delays.