Customs Service seizures of illicit drugs up 16 percent

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The U.S. Customs Service announced Monday that it seized 1.79 million pounds of illicit drugs in the United States during the fiscal year that ended September 30.

That represents a 16 percent increase over the quantity of drugs seized by U.S. Customs officers during the prior fiscal year and almost double the amount seized four years ago.

"While anti-terrorism is now the number one priority for all U.S. Customs Service officers, the increased drug seizure numbers demonstrate the skill and determination of Customs employees in interdicting all types of contraband," said Custom Service Commissioner Robert C. Bonner in a statement.

The amount of heroin seized by Customs officers in FY 2001 increased by 41 percent over the prior fiscal year. Customs officers seized approximately 3,622 pounds of heroin in FY 2001, compared with 2,561 pounds in FY 2000 and 1,927 pounds of heroin in FY 1999.

The quantity of cocaine that Customs seized in FY 2001 increased by 28 percent over the prior fiscal year. Customs officers seized 190,856 pounds of cocaine in FY 2001, compared with 149,108 pounds in FY 2000 and 160,718 pounds of cocaine in FY 1999.

The amount of marijuana seized by Customs in FY 2001 grew by 16 percent over the prior fiscal year. Customs officers seized 1,503,941 pounds of marijuana in FY 2001, compared with 1,292,114 pounds in FY 2000 and 1,136,081 pounds of marijuana in FY 1999.

Customs seizures of methamphetamine increased by roughly 11 percent in FY 2001.