Douglas CBP Officers seize $154K in marijuana
Customs and Border Protection officers at the Raul Hector Castro Port of Entry in Douglas, Arizona arrested a man from Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico, in connection with a failed attempt to smuggle nearly 308 pounds of marijuana into the United States yesterday (July 6).
After officers referred the 24-year-old man for a secondary inspection of his GMC truck, nearly 300 packages of marijuana, valued at nearly $154,000, were uncovered from various locations in the vehicle’s interior and tires.
Officers seized the drugs and vehicle, and turned the subject over to 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.
Canines help CBP Officers find $229K in drugs
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Arizona’s Port of Lukeville arrested three people earlier this week after finding nearly 252 pounds of marijuana and cocaine during two separate seizures.
Officers first referred a 29-year-old Mexican national for a secondary inspection of his Chevy SUV on July 1. During the search, a narcotics-detection canine from the Pima County Sheriff’s Office alerted to the vehicle’s drive shaft containing nearly 10 pounds of cocaine, valued at close to $108,000
On July 4, a CBP narcotics-detection canine helped officers find more than 242 pounds of marijuana, valued in excess of $121,000, in the rear cargo area of a Hyundai SUV. Officers arrested the driver, a 29-year-old woman, and her 22-year-old male passenger. Both are from Tucson.
Officers seized the drugs and vehicles, and turned all subjects over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
Naco CBP Officers seize $87K in marijuana
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Field Operations officers at the Port of Naco arrested a 33-year-old Bisbee woman June 30 after finding almost 174 pounds of marijuana hidden throughout her Volvo sedan.
Officers seized the drugs and vehicle, and referred the woman to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
Yuma Border Patrol Sector applauds successful prosecutions
Over a recent three-day period, 11 individuals appearing before the magistrate judge recently were charged and convicted of “re-entry after deportation.” All 11 had been previously deported for illegally entering the United States and had lengthy criminal histories.
Ten felons received sentences ranging from nine to 35 months, followed by three years of supervised release. The eleventh received 120 days and three years of supervised release.
All 11 were “aggravated felons,” a term used to describe a category of offenses carrying particularly harsh consequences for those convicted. Some of their offenses included conspiracy, harboring aliens, grand theft auto, probation violations, and manufacturing, distributing or disbursing controlled substances. Regardless of their immigration status, non-citizens convicted of an “aggravated felony” are prohibited from any relief that would spare them from deportation, including asylum, and from being readmitted to the United States in the future.
Pointing to their complex enforcement environment, United States Border Patrol agents face many dangers from illegal cross-border activity. “In 2016, virtually all crossings were facilitated by transnational criminal organizations,” said Yuma Sector Chief Patrol Agent Anthony J. Porvaznik. “All who enter the United States illegally are breaking the law. Our goal is to provide the first line of defense for America and her people.”
Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents 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.
San Luis CBP Officers seize $190K worth of marijuana
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Port of San Luis arrested a Mexican national July 1 in connection with a failed smuggling attempt involving nearly 380 pounds of marijuana valued at approximately $190,000.
After CBP officers referred the 38-year-old man for a further inspection of his Chevy sedan, a CBP narcotics-detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs. Officers then located several bundles of marijuana in the trunk.
Officers seized the drugs and vehicle, and referred the subject to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
