Detroit leads northern border in drug seizures, federal report says

DETROIT, Mich. (WNEM) – A new federal report has found the U.S. Border Patrol’s Detroit Sector led all northern border sectors in drug seizures since 2019.

A General Accountability Office report looked into seven years of data from the U.S. Border Patrol’s northern border sectors, which includes Spokane, Blaine, Havre, Grand Forks, Detroit, Buffalo, Houlton, and Swanton. The eight sectors cover 4,000 miles of the U.S. border with Canada across 13 states.

From 2019 through March 31, the report said the Detroit Sector conducted 681 narcotics seizures, more than any other northern border sector. According to the data, Detroit agents averaged 150 narcotics seizures per year over the last two years.

“Ours is a challenging environment, with both narrow waterways and the expansive Great Lakes, as well as high traffic corridors near major population centers and transportation routes that are attractive to smuggling and criminal organizations,” said Detroit Sector’s Acting Chief Patrol Agent Javier Geronimo Jr. “No matter the challenge, Detroit Sector agents continue to collaborate with our local, state, and federal partners to safeguard our communities and uphold the security of the United States. Their dedication and vigilance are unwavering, and I am proud of the professionalism and resolve they demonstrate in protecting our nation’s northern frontier. This commitment is shared across all northern border sectors, where teams work tirelessly every day to keep America safe.”

The Detroit Sector covers 863 maritime miles of the Northern Border and includes stations in Detroit, Gibraltar, Marysville, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan and Port Clinton, Ohio.

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