AUGUST 5, 2015
Weekly Arizona Border Report
Douglas CBP Officers Seize $179K in Marijuana
TUCSON, Ariz. – Customs and Border Protection officers arrested a Mexican national and a Douglas man during separate incidents July 30 at the Port of Douglas.
Officers arrested Ramon Leopoldo Zepeda, 34, of Douglas, after an inspection of his Ford truck led to the discovery of more than 180 pounds of marijuana, worth over $90,000, hidden throughout the vehicle.
Last night, officers arrested Jesus Alonso-Delgado, 56, from Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico, after an inspection of his Dodge truck led to the discovery of close to 178 pounds of marijuana, worth an estimated $89,000, within the truck’s doors as well as within the fuel tank.
Officers seized all drugs and vehicles, while both subjects were arrested and turned over to 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.
Mexican Nationals Arrested, $250K in Marijuana Seized
YUMA, Ariz. – Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents arrested nine Mexican nationals and seized more than 500 pounds of marijuana during separate incidents on July 29.
Agents arrested nine Mexican nationals carrying several bundles of marijuana south of Interstate 8, near mile marker 89. The marijuana, weighing a combined 281 pounds, is worth more than $140,500.
Agents assigned to Camp Grip, Yuma Sector’s forward operating base, were tracking foot prints left by five individuals returning to Mexico when they discovered 223 pounds of abandoned marijuana worth an estimated $111,400.
All subjects and drugs were processed per Yuma Sector guidelines.
Yuma Sector 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.
Nogales CBP Officers Seize $151K in Hard Drugs
TUCSON, Ariz. – Customs and Border Protection officers arrested two Mexican nationals allegedly involved in an attempt to smuggle more than 18 pounds of cocaine and methamphetamine through the Port of Nogales Tuesday.
Officers at the Dennis DeConcini crossing referred a 39-year-old man from Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, and his 32-year-old wife for a secondary inspection of their Chrysler PT Cruiser. After a CBP narcotics-detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs within the vehicle’s rear panels, officers found nearly 13 pounds of cocaine, worth almost $136,000, and more than five pounds of methamphetamine valued at close to $16,000.
CBP officers seized the drugs and vehicle, and turned the couple 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.
Agents Halt Human Smuggling Attempt in Dome Valley
YUMA, Ariz. – Yesterday morning, Border Patrol agents intercepted an attempt to smuggle illegal immigrants through Dome Valley in an effort to circumvent the Wellton Station Border Patrol checkpoint on Interstate 8. Agents arrested the driver, a 21-year-old male U.S. citizen, and seven illegal immigrant occupants. The driver was transporting one juvenile male Mexican national, five adult male Mexican nationals, and one adult female El Salvadorian.
The driver is being prosecuted for alien smuggling. All of the subjects and the vehicle were processed per Yuma Sector guidelines.
Yuma Sector 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.
