TUCSON – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents arrested a U.S. Citizen smuggling methamphetamine and a Mexican national wanted for sex crimes, during two separate incidents over the weekend.
Agents working at the Interstate 19 immigration checkpoint, referred a passenger shuttle van to secondary inspection. Agents subsequently discovered three packages of methamphetamine with a combined value of $3,300 hidden near the groin of an adult U.S. Citizen man within the shuttle. The meth was seized and the man was arrested and is pending prosecution.
In a separate incident on the same day, agents working near Naco, Ariz., arrested a Mexican national who had entered the United States illegally. Record checks revealed that the man, Jesus Salcido-Antunez, has an active felony warrant from Pima County, Arizona for multiple child related sexual offenses. The man was turned over to local authorities.
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 and until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free.
