U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Port of Nogales in Arizona recently seized over 200 pounds of methamphetamine and cocaine worth approximately $1 million and apprehended six people after intercepting multiple separate smuggling attempts.
On Feb. 15, officers at the Dennis DeConcini crossing referred a 33-year-old Mexican woman, who had a SENTRI card, for a secondary search of her Chevy truck. During the search, a CBP canine’s alert resulted in the discovery of more than 17 pounds of cocaine worth approximately $196,000 and more than five pounds of meth worth approximately $16,000 hidden in the vehicle’s center console.
Later that day at the same crossing, officers referred a 21-year-old male U.S. citizen returning to the United States in a Dodge hatchback for a secondary inspection of his vehicle. During the inspection, a canine alerted officers to the presence of approximately 14 pounds of cocaine worth approximately $154,000, in the vehicle’s rear quarter panel.
Later at the same crossing, officers referred a 25-year-old Mexican man driving a Ford sedan for a secondary inspection. ACBP canine alerted officers to the vehicle’s center console where officers found nearly 17 pounds of cocaine worth approximately $187,000.
That evening, officers at the DeConcini crossing encountered a 35-year-old U.S. woman attempting to enter the United States in a GMC SUV and referred her for further questioning. A canine then alerted officers to nearly 96 pounds of meth worth more than $287,000 hidden throughout the vehicle.
Later that night at the crossing, officers referred a 23-year-old Mexican woman for further inspection of her Jeep. A CBP canine alerted officers to approximately 51 pounds of methamphetamine, valued at approximately $154,000, in the vehicle’s spare tire.
CBP Officers at the Mariposa crossing referred a 32-year-old Mexican man for a further search of his Ford truck. A canine then alerted officers to the presence of more than four pounds of meth worth over $13,000 within the truck’s door panels.
In all of the incidents, officers seized the drugs and vehicles and turned the subjects over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.