200 Arrested, Nearly 5,000 Pounds of Fentanyl Seized in Southern California

A U.S. Customs and Border Protection canine team checks automobiles for contraband in the line to enter the United States at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in San Ysidro, Calif., on Oct. 2, 2019. Sandy Huffaker/AFP via Getty Images

SAN DIEGO—More than 200 arrests were made and over 4,700 pounds of fentanyl were seized over the past two months, in what local law enforcement officials described May 23 as an “unprecedented” increase in enforcement actions against alleged drug smugglers, traffickers, and dealers.

The law enforcement campaign dubbed Operation Blue Lotus took place from March 13 through May 10 and was centered on the southern border in the Southern and Central districts of California, as well as the District of Arizona.