Date

6-17-2026

Department

Helms School of Government

Degree

Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice (PhD)

Chair

Kristina Joy Hedgepeth

Keywords

fentanyl, opioid, smuggling, border security, border patrol

Disciplines

Public Affairs, Public Policy and Public Administration

Abstract

This dissertation will investigate the efficacy of tactics employed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) in detecting and intercepting fentanyl at legal ports of entry along the U.S border during the fiscal years 2022 to 2025. Given that fentanyl continues to be a pivotal element in the ongoing opioid crisis within the United States, it is imperative to understand the mechanisms by which this synthetic opioid is smuggled into the country and to evaluate the efficacy of federal initiatives. These efforts are crucial for protecting public health and enhancing national security. This quantitative study examines fentanyl seizure data from CBP and Border Patrol, focusing specifically on legal ports of entry, where most seizures take place (southwest ports of entry). A pivotal aspect of this research pertains to detection technologies and how augmented initiatives and operations have influenced detection, interception, and seizure outcomes. In addition, this study will examine the theoretical framework of Deterrence Theory to understand how the enforcement of new operations and strategies can influence smuggling behavior, encompassing motivations such as status, profit, and power. By correlating tactical enforcement initiatives with technological progress, this dissertation will evaluate the operational effectiveness of CBP in countering fentanyl trafficking and smuggling from Mexico into the United States. This study will aim to address gaps in homeland security research by exploring the relationship among modern detection methods, advanced deterrence operations, and recent smuggling activities. Using secondary quantitative data from official U.S. government sources, this research will offer a comprehensive evaluation of CBP’s efforts and operations and provide policy-relevant insights for enhancing border enforcement strategies against synthetic opioid smuggling, specifically fentanyl. This study will use a quantitative research design utilizing two quasi-experimental methodologies: Interrupted Time Series (ITS) and Difference-in-Differences (DiD), to evaluate the influence of CBP operational initiatives on fentanyl seizure outcomes. ITS will analyze trends in seizure volume (lbs.) at Southwest ports before and after interventions, such as Operation Blue Lotus, using repeated-measures ANOVA. Meanwhile, DiD will compare seizure incidents between the treated ports (Southwest) and the control ports (Northern). Fentanyl seizure data from FY2022–FY2025 will be analyzed to determine whether enhanced enforcement operations are associated with quantifiable changes in fentanyl interception, thereby providing evidence regarding the efficacy and deterrent effectiveness of CBP strategies.

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