JULY 15, 2015
Weekly Arizona Border Report
Another human smuggling attempt foiled in Dome Valley
Border Patrol agents arrested a 20-year-old male B1/B2 visa card holder and five illegal immigrants attempting to travel through Dome Valley early last Wednesday. The group was attempting to circumvent Wellton Station’s eastbound checkpoint on Interstate 8.
The driver is being presented for prosecution on a charge of alien smuggling. The illegal immigrants will be processed per Yuma Sector guidelines.
Border Patrol Agents seize loaded firearm, drugs, cash
A vehicle stop by agents from the Blythe Station led to the discovery of marijuana, weapon and currency within a gym bag.
Blythe Station Border Patrol agents and a canine team seized 11 pounds of marijuana valued at more than $5,600 during a traffic stop early Wednesday near Ehrenberg, Ariz. Agents also confiscated a loaded handgun and more than $900.
Agents arrested both of the vehicle’s occupants, who were U.S. citizens, and turned over all of the contraband as well to the La Paz County Sheriff’s Office.
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.
Nogales CBP Officers seize $39K worth of heroin
Customs and Border Protection officers at the Mariposa pedestrian crossing arrested a Tucson woman last Tuesday afternoon after finding nearly three pounds of heroin, worth more than $39,000, hidden within her clothing.
During questioning of Elaine Espinoza, 38, officers also conducted a physical search and discovered two packages of heroin within her bra and a third disguised as a sanitary napkin in her groin area. Officers seized the drugs and turned Espinoza over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations
Lukeville CBP Officers seize $266K in marijuana
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrested a Tucson couple for allegedly attempting to smuggle nearly 532 pounds of marijuana through the Port of Lukeville on July 6.
Officers referred Alfredo Martinez-Martinez, 25, and Martha Martinez-Martinez, 20, both legal permanent resident aliens living in Tucson, for a secondary inspection of their Dodge truck and trailer-in-tow. A CBP narcotics-detection canine then alerted officers to the trailer where they found multiple packages of marijuana, valued at almost $266,000, behind a false compartment within the nose of the trailer.
Officers seized the drugs and vehicle, and turned both subjects over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
CBP Officers seize $150K worth of hard drugs
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrested a 23-year-old Phoenix man and his 23-year-old girlfriend July 6 for allegedly attempting to smuggle nearly 40 pounds of methamphetamine and more than two pounds of heroin through the Port of San Luis.
Officers referred Robert James Tucker and Nadia Yunuen Perez for a secondary inspection of a PT Cruiser they were driving during an attempt to enter the United States. After a CBP narcotics-detection canine alerted to possible drugs in the rear bumper and four doors, officers found more than $119,000 in meth and approximately $31,000 worth of heroin.
Officers seized the drugs and vehicle, and turned Tucker and Perez 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.
