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  4. Arizona CBP Officers Seize $1.6 Million in Marijuana Concealed in Canned Jalapenos

Arizona CBP Officers Seize $1.6 Million in Marijuana Concealed in Canned Jalapenos

Release Date
Wed, 05/29/2013

NOGALES, ARIZ.—A 34-year-old Mexican national was arrested yesterday in connection with the seizure of nearly 3,300 pounds of marijuana found in a tractor-trailer at the Nogales, Ariz.commercial port facility.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers referred the Nogales, Sonora, Mexico resident for an additional inspection of the Freightliner tractor-trailer he was driving when he attempted to enter the U.S. During the inspection, a CBP narcotics detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs inside the shipment of canned jalapenos. Officers found more than 2,000 cans filled with marijuana.

The shipment and tractor-trailer were processed for seizure. The unidentified driver was referred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations.

CBP's Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within Homeland Security tasked with an anti-terrorism mission at our nation's ports. CBP officers screen all people, vehicles and goods entering the United States while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. Their mission also includes carrying out border-related duties, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration and trade laws, and protecting the nation's food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.

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.

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