Customs and Border Protection officers arrested a 34-year-old man from Altar, Sonora, Mexico, for attempting to smuggle and estimated $266,000 worth of heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine through the Port of Nogales on Oct. 31.
After officers at the Dennis DeConcini crossing referred the man for a secondary inspection of his Jeep SUV, a CBP narcotics-detection canine alerted to one of the vehicle’s front wheel wells containing almost 3 pounds each of heroin and cocaine, and more than 62 pounds of meth.
Officers seized the drugs and vehicle, and turned the subject over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
Federal law allows officers to charge individuals by complaint, a method that allows the filing of charges for criminal activity without inferring guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless and until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
CBP’s Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within Homeland Security tasked with an anti-terrorism mission at our nation’s ports. CBP officers screen all people, vehicles and goods entering the United States while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. Their mission also includes carrying out border-related duties, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration and trade laws, and protecting the nation’s food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.
CBP Douglas snags marijuana smuggler at port
Customs and Border Protection officers at the Raul Hector Castro Port of Entry in Douglas, Arizona, found nearly 125 pounds of marijuana hidden throughout a Chevy SUV – including the gas tank – during a secondary search Oct. 31.
Officers working with a narcotics-detection canine found more than $62,000 worth of marijuana in the SUV driven by a 36-year-old woman from Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico.
Officers seized the drugs and vehicle, and turned the subject over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
More than 9 pounds of meth seized at I-8 checkpoint
A canine team’s alert on a vehicle at the Interstate 8 immigration checkpoint east of Yuma on Oct. 31 resulted in the seizure of 9 pounds of methamphetamine worth approximately $27,000.
Border Patrol agents directed the female driver to a secondary inspection area and found the drugs hidden in the vehicle’s bumper. A records check of the driver also revealed a previous charge of prostitution.
Agents are processing the woman, drugs and vehicle in accordance with Yuma Sector guidelines.
Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents effectively combat smuggling organizations attempting to illegally transport people and contraband through southwestern Arizona and California. Citizens can help the Border Patrol and U.S. Customs and Border Protection by calling 1-866-999-8727 toll-free to report suspicious activity. Callers can remain anonymous.
Douglas CBP nabs weekend marijuana smuggler
Customs and Border Protection officers working with a narcotics-detection canine at the Raul Hector Castro Port of Entry in Douglas, Arizona, arrested two people Saturday for attempting to smuggle nearly 260 pounds of marijuana, worth more than $129,000.
Officers found the marijuana hidden throughout a Nissan sedan driven by a 25-year-old Tucson woman, accompanied by a 22-year-old Mexican male passenger.
Officers seized the drugs and vehicle, and turned both subjects over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
Methamphetamine smugglers busted at Port of Nogales
Customs and Border Protection officers arrested two men involved in separate weekend attempts to sneak approximately $87,000 worth of methamphetamine through the Port of Nogales.
Officers at the Dennis DeConcini crossing seized nearly $78,000 worth of meth (close to 26 pounds) Saturday from a 23-year-old male U.S. citizen residing in Santana, Sonora, Mexico, after finding the drugs in his Chevy SUV.
On Friday, officers working with a CBP narcotics-detection canine at the Morley Pedestrian crossing found almost 3 pounds of meth in packages of tortillas carried by a 62-year-old man from Nogales, Arizona.
Officers seized all drugs along with the vehicle involved, and turned the subjects over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
