Douglas, Ariz. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to the Port of Douglas, Ariz. prevented a narcotics smuggling attempt when they seized marijuana concealed in the rear axle of a vehicle on March 22.
A 43-year-old Mexican male from Agua Prieta, Sonora, attempted to enter the United States through a Douglas Port vehicle lane. The vehicle was referred for a secondary inspection after CBP officers noticed anomalies in the rear axle. A more intensive inspection yielded a concealed package of marijuana weighing eight and one-half pounds, with an estimated value of $3,825. The vehicle and marijuana were seized by CBP.
Since launching the Southwest Border Initiative in March 2009, unprecedented shifts in staffing and infrastructure at the ports of Arizona have brought a higher level of focus and intensity to their operations. These shifts have resulted in higher narcotics interceptions and tougher outbound enforcement operations yielding record illicit currency, weapons, and wanted felon interceptions.
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 our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.