JUNE 10, 2015
Weekly Arizona Border Report
Nogales CBP Officers seize $162K in marijuana
Customs and Border Protection officers arrested two U.S. citizens connected to separate smuggling attempts on Wednesday at the Port of Nogales.
Officers at the Mariposa crossing referred a 24-year-old Tucson man for a secondary vehicle inspection of his Nissan sedan. A CBP narcotics-detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs, leading to the discovery of nearly 96 pounds of marijuana worth almost $48,000.
Later, officers at the Mariposa crossing referred an 18-year-old Nogales, Arizona woman for an inspection of a Buick sedan. A CBP narcotics-detection canine alerted to the trunk where officers found nine bundles of marijuana weighing nearly 229 pounds and worth more than $114,000.
Officers processed all drugs and vehicles involved, and referred both subjects to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
CBP Officers seize $105K worth of heroin
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrested a 19-year-old Tucson man on June 2 for allegedly attempting to smuggle nearly seven-point-five pounds of heroin through the Port of San Luis.
Officers referred Ivan Guillermo Medrano for a secondary inspection when he approached the pedestrian crossing. After a CBP narcotics-detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs in a false compartment in a pair of suitcases, officers removed six packages of heroin worth more than $105,000.
Officers seized the drugs and Medrano was arrested and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
San Luis CBP Officers seize 35 pounds of meth
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Port of San Luis arrested a 25-year-old Phoenix man for allegedly attempting to smuggle more than 35 pounds of methamphetamine into the United States.
Officers referred Israel Martinez for a secondary inspection of his Honda sedan when he attempted to enter the U.S. on June 1. After a CBP narcotics-detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs, officers found 36 packages of meth with a combined value exceeding $106,000.
Officers seized the drugs and vehicle, and referred Martinez to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
San Luis CBP Officers seize ammunition
Customs and Border Protection officers arrested a San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, Mexico, woman at the Port of San Luis for attempting to smuggle ammunition into Mexico.
Officers arrested Lucia Monzon-Ramirez, 45, after an outbound inspection of her GMC SUV on May 30 led to the discovery of 1,450 rounds of assorted ammunition bound for Mexico. Officers discovered the ammunition within one of the vehicle’s rear quarter panels.
Officers seized the ammunition and her vehicle, and referred Monzon to Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
Border Patrol’s weekend drug seizures valued at $123,500
Border Patrol agents arrested three individuals involved in two weekend drug-smuggling attempts that included marijuana and methamphetamine with a combined value of $123,500.
Agents arrested two illegal immigrants found Sunday evening carrying 95 pounds of marijuana, worth an estimated $47,500, into Andrade, California from Mexico.
Saturday morning, a Yuma Sector canine team assigned to the Highway 95 checkpoint alerted to a vehicle containing 15 pounds of methamphetamine worth an estimated $76,000.
The driver, vehicle and drugs from both incidents were processed in accordance with Yuma Sector guidelines.
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.
