Customs and Border Protection officers arrested two people Wednesday involved in separate attempts to smuggle nearly 156 pounds of heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine through the Port of Nogales.
Officers at the Mariposa crossing referred a 22-year-old man from Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, for further inspection of his Jeep SUV and found almost 14 pounds of cocaine, worth close to $158,000; just under 5 pounds of heroin, worth in excess of $78,000; and more than 9 pounds of meth, exceeding $28,000 in value.
Earlier in the day, officers at the Dennis DeConcini crossing referred a 36-year-old woman from Lynwood, California, for further inspection of her GMC truck. After a CBP canine alerted to an odor of drugs within all of the tires, officers found metal boxes built into the tires containing more than 128 pounds of meth worth almost $385,000.
CBP officers seized the drugs and vehicles, and turned the suspects 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.
Border Patrol agents arrest illegal immigrant, seize 48 lbs. of marijuana at Interstate 8 checkpoint
Border Patrol agents arrested a Mexican man Wednesday after a canine team’s alert led to the discovery of 48 pounds of marijuana, worth more than $24,000, in his vehicle during a secondary inspection at the Interstate 8 checkpoint, east of Yuma.
While processing the driver, agents determined he was illegally present in the United States and had been previously deported.
Agents will process the driver, drugs and vehicle in accordance with Yuma Sector guidelines.
CBP Douglas nabs another marijuana smuggler
For the third time in less than a week, Customs and Border Protection officers at the Raul Hector Castro Port of Entry in Douglas, Arizona, have arrested an individual attempting to smuggle marijuana; this time nearly 260 pounds.
CBP officers working with a narcotics-detection canine Tuesday found more than $129,000 worth of marijuana hidden throughout a Pontiac SUV driven by an 18-year-old Tucson woman.
Last Friday, officers at the Port of Douglas seized more than 270 pounds of marijuana worth approximately $136K.
Officers seized the drugs and vehicle, and turned the subject over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
2 Douglas men charged with smuggling marijuana
Customs and Border Protection officers at the Raul Hector Castro Port of Entry in Douglas, Arizona, arrested two men during separate smuggling attempts recently, involving more than 275 pounds of marijuana worth almost $139,000.
CBP officers working with a narcotics-detection canine on Oct. 21 found more than $136,000 worth of marijuana hidden throughout a Pontiac SUV driven by a 25-year-old Douglas man.
On Oct. 24, officers found $2,600 worth of marijuana taped around the torso of a 66-year-old Douglas man attempting to enter the U.S. through a pedestrian lane.
Officers seized the drugs and vehicle, and turned both subjects over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
Border Patrol agents seize meth at Interstate 8 checkpoint
Border Patrol agents seized more than 23 pounds of methamphetamine, worth nearly $70,000, during two weekend incidents at the Interstate 8 checkpoint, east of Yuma.
In both cases, male United States citizens were stopped at the checkpoint after a canine team alerted agents to their vehicles containing drugs hidden in rear quarter panels.
Agents arrested the drivers and seized the drugs and vehicles for processing in accordance with Yuma Sector guidelines.
“The hard work and unwavering dedication of every man and woman in Yuma Sector can’t be over appreciated,” said Chief Patrol Agent Anthony Porvaznik. “Their vigilance, honor and duty have made the streets of this country safer through this seizure.”
Federal law allows agents 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 or until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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.
