TUCSON – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents from the Willcox Station arrested a couple for smuggling more than $68,000 worth of marijuana at the Tombstone, Arizona immigration checkpoint on State Route 80.
Agents referred the 23-year-old male driving a Honda Ridgeline for additional inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to an odor it was trained to detect coming from the rear of the vehicle. Agents searched the vehicle and found 65 packages of marijuana.
The U.S. citizen driver and 25-year-old female passenger were arrested for drug smuggling and agents seized both the vehicle and drugs.
Border Patrol canines are a vital law enforcement tool with a heighten sense of smell and can alert agents to various odors such as concealed humans and contraband.
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.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials welcome assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. Reporting illicit activity could result in saving someone’s life.
