RGV border patrol sector data shows decrease in human trafficking, increase in narcotic smuggling

EDINBURG – Three months have passed since President Trump took office with one of his main goals focusing on controlling immigration and the trafficking of drugs to end what he calls the “fentanyl crisis.”

However, in the southwest border cocaine and marijuana have become an issue.

In 2025, 778 pounds of cocaine and 9,000 pounds of marijuana have been seized alone in the U.S.-Mexico border near the Rio Grande Valley.

Christina Smallwood, U.S. Customs and Border Protection public affairs officer, said she has been in the department for 17 years and has never seen a significant decrease in human trafficking and apprehensions like under Trump.

“We are seeing that 95% decrease with the current administration since January 20 and that decrease is in the border patrol nationwide,” Smallwood said.

The CBP released a report stating that in March 2024, a little over 137,000 people who entered the country were caught and in March 2025 the number was 7,181.

Although the percentages of immigration are decreasing, Alvaro Corral an assistant professor of political science said that there has been more “interior enforcement” inside the U.S..

The Trump administration has major directives to hit certain quotas of detaining people. So, ICE offices have staff that are now being pressured to reach that number,” Corral said.

According to the national immigration forum those quotas comprise of daily arrests between 1,200 to 1,500 individuals as part of the mass deportation strategy.

Smallwood also said that due to technology constantly changing it is important for the USCBP to stay attentive since their adversaries could be using the same kinds of technology against them.

“They’re also using technology as well. So, whatever they’re using, we always must be a step or two ahead and when it comes to infrastructure,” Smallwood said.

The border wall is currently under construction once more to comply with Trump’s orders.