Drug Ports of Entry to US 9-16-25

It is impossible to provide a definitive list of drug ports of entry in the U.S. for 2025, as this information is classified due to national security. However, data from official seizures by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and other law enforcement agencies show that major drug smuggling occurs at legal points of entry, not just between them. The U.S. southern border with Mexico remains the most active region for drug trafficking, including for illicit fentanyl, which has been the leading cause of overdose deaths in recent years.  

Primary land ports of entry (2025)

Criminal organizations exploit the high volume of traffic at official border crossings to hide drug shipments in passenger vehicles and commercial cargo. 

·       Otay Mesa, California: This port of entry, located near San Diego, sees heavy daily traffic, including thousands of commercial trucks, making it a target for smugglers.

·       San Ysidro, California: One of the busiest land crossings in the country, San Ysidro processes tens of thousands of passenger vehicles daily, providing ample cover for trafficking. In March 2025, CBP officers at San Ysidro seized over $11 million worth of fentanyl pills.

·       Rio Grande City, Texas: This port of entry has seen significant drug seizures. In 2024, officers seized over $3 million in cocaine there.

·       Arizona border ports: The border ports in Arizona are a key entry point for organized crime to traffic drugs and chemical precursors used for making fentanyl. 

Other critical ports of entry

Beyond the southern land border, trafficking also takes place at other types of ports: 

·       Airports: International mail facilities, air cargo shipments, and passenger flights are all used by traffickers to move drugs.

·       Seaports: Ships and maritime vessels, including large cargo ships and smaller boats, are used to transport large quantities of drugs. Miami is one notable seaport often used for smuggling.

·       International mail facilities: Criminals often use the U.S. postal system and other mail carriers to send drugs, taking advantage of the large volume of packages. 

Methods of smuggling into ports of entry

Drug trafficking organizations constantly adapt their methods to exploit vulnerabilities at official ports of entry:

·       Vehicles with hidden compartments: Many shipments are concealed in vehicles and commercial trucks equipped with hidden compartments, taking advantage of the high traffic volume.

·       Concealment in cargo: Traffickers hide drugs among legitimate goods within commercial freight to evade detection.

·       Cross-border tunnels: While less common than port of entry trafficking for fentanyl, sophisticated tunnels equipped with ventilation and rail systems are still used to move large quantities of drugs, particularly marijuana.

·       Drones and aircraft: Traffickers use drones for smaller, concentrated shipments and ultralight aircraft for heavier loads to bypass border defenses. 

·       Facts About Fentanyl Smuggling - American Immigration Council

Jul 14, 2025 — Facts About Fentanyl Smuggling * Background. Drug smugglers have been bringing drugs into the United States through ports of entry for decades.

Based on U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data from 2025, the primary drug ports of entry (POEs) are located along the Southwest border with Mexico. Traffickers also use coastal and interior ports, such as airports and seaports. The vast majority of illicit drugs, particularly synthetic opioids like fentanyl, are smuggled through these official crossings in passenger vehicles and commercial trucks, not between them. 

Top drug trafficking routes: Southwest border ports of entry

The majority of fentanyl and other illicit drugs enter the U.S. through official POEs along the border with Mexico. Smugglers frequently attempt to blend in with the high volume of daily traffic to transport their cargo. 

·       San Diego Sector, California: This sector is a major entry point for drugs, especially at the Otay Mesa and San Ysidro crossings, two of the busiest in the country.

·       Arizona: Ports like Lukeville have seen historically large seizures of fentanyl.

·       Laredo Field Office, Texas: Ports in this region are significant for cocaine seizures. 

Coastal and interior ports of entry

Drug smuggling also occurs at major international shipping hubs, including seaports and airports.

·       Seaports: Maritime routes continue to be a primary way to move large quantities of drugs. The U.S. Coast Guard regularly interdicts shipments in the Eastern Pacific and offloads them at major ports like Port Everglades in Miami or San Diego. Cargo containers, private vessels, and even "narcosubs" are used for transport.

·       Airports: Facilities for express consignment and international mail are vulnerable entry points. For instance, international airports in cities like Chicago have been cited as ports of entry for drug components. 

Less-frequent smuggling methods

While less common than crossing at official ports, other methods are still used, often for different types of drugs.

·       Between ports of entry: U.S. Border Patrol intercepts some drugs between official crossings, but fentanyl seizures are rare in these locations. Methods include tunnels, drones, and human couriers ("mules").

·       Northern border: Less illicit drug activity is seen along the U.S. border with Canada compared to the Southwest border. 

Smuggling methods at ports of entry

Criminal organizations have developed sophisticated methods to bypass security and detection systems.

·       Concealment in vehicles: Drugs are frequently hidden within secret compartments or the natural voids of passenger cars, rental vehicles, and commercial trucks.

·       False-front cargo: Commercial shipments containing legitimate goods are used to disguise drug shipments. Smugglers may commingle drugs with items like food, electronics, and other cargo.

·       Human couriers: Couriers, sometimes U.S. citizens or individuals with legal entry visas, are used to transport drugs across POEs.

·       Mislabeled and concealed packages: Drugs are sent through the postal service or other delivery companies, with traffickers often hiding substances within seemingly harmless everyday items. 

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Comments

Removing Drugs that contain Fentanyl and other Poisons from the US will require Federal Agencies to coordinate their efforts, form a team, produce plans and execute the plans to remove production of poisonous drugs and control distribution. 

Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader