CBP officers seize cocaine, methamphetamine in separate incidents

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) seized methamphetamine and cocaine in separate incidents last week.

Officers working at the Dennis DeConcini crossing on Wednesday were alerted to a suspicious vehicle by a canine narcotics unit. After a brief investigation, officers uncovered approximately 25 pounds of methamphetamine hidden inside the gas tank of the Saturn sedan driven by a 23-year-old Mexican citizen from Sonora, Mexico.

Later in the day, officers at the Morley pedestrian crossing conducted a brief search on a 30-year-old Tucson man attempting to cross the border. Officers uncovered approximately one pound of methamphetamine, worth approximately $2,600 on the street, on his person.

Officers seized all drugs and turned both subjects over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.

The next day, officers at the border control checkpoint in San Clemente encountered a 2008 Dodge Nitro driven by a female Mexican national. After a brief sweep with a canine unit, officers were alerted to the cargo area of the SUV. During inspection, officers noticed the weight of the fire extinguisher was much heavier than anticipated, leading to further investigation. After opening the canister, officers allegedly discovered approximately seven pounds of cocaine hidden inside. The narcotics were valued at approximately $81,960 on the street.

The woman was arrested for narcotics smuggling and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The vehicle was subsequently seized by border control.