The Mysterious Drop in Fentanyl Seizures at the US-Mexico Border

A recent article discussed the significant decline in fentanyl seizures at the US-Mexico border, describing it as “mysterious.” The commentary comes from Mary Beth Sheridan, a correspondent for the Washington Post, who analyzed data showing a major decrease in fentanyl interceptions compared to last year.

Data from customs and border security indicates that monthly fentanyl seizures averaged about 1,700 in 2024 but dropped to around 746 in 2025. The White House attributed this decline to policies implemented during Trump’s administration. They claim the downturn is clear to everyone except those suffering from what they called “Trump Disorder Syndrome.”

One comment pointed out that fentanyl trafficking fell significantly in March, more than halving compared to the same time last year, immediately linking this to Trump’s border policies, which they argue have secured the southern border.

The drop in fentanyl seizures also correlated with a notable decline in illegal immigration, showing a 95% drop from April 2024 to April 2025. This suggests that the enforcement measures may be effective in curbing illegal crossings.

Supporters of Trump argue that increased military presence at the border should deter cartels and smugglers. In theory, more troops on the ground would make smuggling attempts riskier and less likely to succeed.

However, Sheridan contends that the opposite should occur. She mentioned that despite the Trump administration’s deployment of troops and enhancements like drone flights, the expectations of increased fentanyl seizures haven’t materialized.

Her assertions faced mockery from various White House officials. The White House Communications Director criticized the article, pointing to what he termed “Trump’s orgy syndrome,” while the Press Secretary labeled the Washington Post as “pathetic.”

Additionally, the official account for Homeland Security took to social media to clarify the situation. They emphasized that the decline in fentanyl traffic is not a mystery, stating that Trump’s administration took decisive actions to secure the border from drug traffickers, noting a drop of 54% in fentanyl seizures from March 2024 to March 2025.