MARCH 11, 2015
Border Report
San Luis: CBP Officers find meth in child’s scooter
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Port of San Luis arrested three individuals this week in connection with separate smuggling attempts involving more than 50 pounds of methamphetamine.
Monday, March 2 officers arrested Jose Emanuel Figueroa, 20, of Yuma, Arizona, after finding nearly $56,000 worth of meth -- 18.5 pounds -- within 12 wooden pieces to a child’s unassembled scooter packed in his luggage. Figueroa was attempting to enter the U.S. through the pedestrian crossing when officers asked to search his luggage.
Wednesday, officers selected a 19-year-old woman for a secondary inspection her Mazda SUV and found 22 packages of meth, valued at nearly $71,000, within the vehicle’s rocker panels.
A few hours later, after officers selected a 56-year-old man from San Jacinto, California for further inspection of his Mercury sedan, a CBP narcotics detection canine alerted to more than $25,000 worth of meth within the vehicle’s driveshaft.
Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents seize meth, 449 pounds of marijuana, arrest seven illegal immigrants
Early last Wednesday morning, a Yuma Sector Detection Canine alerted to 17 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in the rear bumper of a vehicle as it was travelling through the I-8 checkpoint. The estimated street value was $76,500.
Last Wednesday afternoon, Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to Camp Grip responded to several subjects illegally entering the United States. Agents seized nine backpacks of marijuana and arrested seven subjects inside the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge. The total weight of the marijuana was 449 pounds with a street value of $224,500.
All subjects, drugs and vehicle were processed per Yuma Sector guidelines.
The Border Patrol’s Yuma Sector effectively combats 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 Officers seize $287K in marijuana
Customs and Border Protection officers arrested two Mexican nationals during separate attempts to smuggle marijuana through the Port of Douglas on March 3.
Officers encountered a 20-year-old man attempting to smuggle 182 packages of marijuana under the hood of his Chevrolet truck. The drugs were discovered after a narcotics detection canine led them to nearly 331 pounds, worth in excess of $165,000.
A few hours earlier, a service canine alerted officers to a Chevrolet sedan belonging to a 37-year-old man. Officers arrested the man after finding nearly 244 pounds of marijuana, worth approximately $122,000, throughout the vehicle.
Officers seized all drugs and vehicles, and referred the subjects to Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
Port of Nogales: CBP Officers seize $210K in hard drugs
Customs and Border Protection officers arrested a Mexican national and Chandler, Arizona woman on Wednesday, March 4 during separate smuggling attempts at the Port of Nogales.
Officers at the Dennis DeConcini crossing referred Juan Carlos Santos-Soto, 36, of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, for a secondary inspection of his Nissan sedan when he attempted to enter the United States. During the inspection, a CBP narcotics-detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs within a false compartment in the vehicle’s center console. Officers then removed four packages of cocaine weighing nearly 10 pounds and valued at more than $103,000.
Later that day, officers at the Mariposa crossing arrested Dina Consuelo Blair, 47, after a narcotics service canine helped them locate nearly eight pounds of heroin inside suitcases in her Ford truck. The drugs are valued at $107,000.
Officers processed both vehicles and drugs for seizure, and referred both individuals 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.
Naco: CBP Officers Seize $80K in Marijuana
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrested a Mexican national March 5 for attempting to smuggle 161 pounds of marijuana through the Port of Naco.
Officers referred a 26-year-old woman from Naco, Sonora, Mexico, for further inspection of the GMC truck she was driving and found 100 packages of marijuana, valued at approximately $80,000, in the vehicle’s seats and quarter panels.
Officers seized the drugs and vehicle, and referred the subject 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.
