Drug Test - Brownsville, TX

Brownsville, Texas - Drug Testing

Notable Events Related to Drug Use in Brownsville

In July of 2022, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Brownsville Port of Entry intercepted over $2.6 million worth of alleged narcotics coming over the border in two separate incidents. The first occurred on July 21st when officials found 10 packages of alleged cocaine weighing 23.06 pounds inside a vehicle driven by a 34-year-old U.S. resident.

The second seizure occurred on July 26th, when another U.S. resident attempted to enter the country with a vehicle that contained 24 packages of alleged methamphetamine, weighing a total of 124.60 pounds. According to Brownsville Port of Entry Director Tater Ortiz, "These significant drug seizures are the direct result of our officers' dedication and vigilance in securing our borders and our streets, and communities are safer for it."

Substance Abuse Trends and Statistics for Brownsville, TX

Drugs coming over the U.S. border present an ongoing problem in cities like Brownsville. During the 2021 fiscal year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection reported a 1,066% increase in seizures of the dangerous drug fentanyl across southern Texas. During the year, officers working at eight points of entry, including Brownsville, seized 87,652 pounds of narcoticswith an estimated street value of $786 million. The drugs seized include fentanyl, cocaine, and marijuana.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) also reported that fentanyl overdoses increased by almost 65% in southern states during the same time period. Over 60% of all drug overdose deaths in the U.S. last year involved some type of opioid use, with the majority being linked to fentanyl.

Government Efforts to Address Drug Problems in Brownsville

In an effort to curb the flow of drugs coming into Brownsville and other Texas border cities, the state has launched Operation Lone Star, a multi-agency effort aimed at stopping the smuggling of drugs, weapons, and people into the state of Texas. Since its launch, this operation has led to over 17,100 criminal arrests and more than 14,400 felony charges. In addition, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency has started installing high-tech scanners at the Brownsville port of entry. These scanners are designed to detect "anomalies" such as suspicious densities or odd patterns that could indicate that a vehicle is loaded with illegal drugs.

Last updated 8/31/2022