CBP arrests two, seizes more than 30 pounds of narcotics days before Christmas holiday

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents stationed at the Port of Nogales apprehended two individuals over separate incidents attempting to smuggle a combined 32 pounds of methamphetamine and heroin, worth approximately $224,000, through the port on Dec. 23.

While conducting routine sweeps with a narcotics-detecting canine team at the Dennis DeConcini crossing, the agents were alerted to suspicious activity within a Dodge hatchback driven by a 35-year old Tucson woman. When agents inspected the vehicle further, they discovered more than 19 pounds of methamphetamine and nine pounds of heroin in the car’s rocker panels.

A few hours later, officers stationed at the Mariposa crossing stopped a 26-year old man from Nogales, Sonora, Mexico driving a Dodge truck. During a routine inspection of the man and his vehicle, officers discovered approximately five pounds of methamphetamine strapped around the man’s midsection and his calves.

All narcotics were seized and both individuals were arrested and handed over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations unit for further processing.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of the nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry.