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Arizona CBP Officers Have Busy Weekend at Ports

Release Date
Wed, 04/29/2020

TUCSON, Ariz. – Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers had a busy weekend with 11 seizures at three of its Arizona ports of entry.  Officers confiscated fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine totaling nearly 300 pounds and approximately $21,000 in undeclared currency.  The drugs being smuggled into the United States have an estimated street value of nearly $401,000.

Officers at the Port of Nogales nabbed five body carriers, four of which were concealing heroin and the other fentanyl pills.  The concealment methods varied from packages strapped to their bodies to internal carriers. In addition to the body carriers, CBP officers discovered 92 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in the side walls of a pickup truck which was being driven by a 47-year-old Tucson man.

The Port of San Luis wrapped up its weekend with five seizures.  One of which was a 23-year-old Mexican national female who was traveling with her 5-year-old child.  They were referred for further inspection of their vehicle.  During the search, a narcotics detection dog alerted to a scent it is trained to detect, coming from the spare tire of the vehicle and officers discovered approximately 55 pounds of methamphetamine. The female was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for processing and the minor child was released to a grandparent.

The other Port of San Luis seizures included a 15 and 19 year-old female, who were attempting to smuggle fentanyl pills strapped to their torso area and two outbound undeclared currency seizures totaling nearly $21,000.

Officers seized fentanyl pills from body carriers
Officers seized fentanyl pills from body carriers
at the Port of San Luis

At the Port of Lukeville officers encountered a 41-year-old Phoenix woman attempting to smuggle over 85 pounds of methamphetamine concealed throughout her vehicle, including the gas tank. Adding to the previous day’s total, Lukeville had a busy weekend with over 141 pounds of methamphetamine seized.

All those who were apprehended were turned over to HSI for processing. 

Smugglers continuously devise methods to conceal drugs in an attempt to get them into the U.S.  Smuggling does not have an age or appearance, therefore CBP officers continue to work tirelessly to protect our communities from harmful drugs. CBP officers working at the Arizona ports of Entry remain vigilant and committed to our mission to protect the homeland.

 

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 official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021