Tucson, Ariz. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection's Joint Field Command - Arizona is reporting the seizure of more than 20,206 pounds of narcotics valued in excess of $10.2 million, and the apprehension of 1,623 illegal and 128 inadmissible immigrants at the Arizona border Oct. 31 - Nov. 6.
Narcotics seizures consisted of more than 20,200 pounds of marijuana, two pounds of cocaine, and four pounds of methamphetamines. CBP also intercepted five weapons, $10,691 in illegal outbound currency, and 32 vehicles used for illicit purposes.
Border Patrol Weekly Highlight
On Nov. 2, 13 local residents from Tucson graduated from the Tucson Border Patrol Station's Citizens Academy. The students were recognized for their participation in a series of lessons on subjects including legal authorities, tracking methods and arrest techniques used by the Border Patrol. The Citizens Academy's goal is to develop a greater community understanding of the Border Patrol's mission while educating residents on challenges agents face daily.
Field Operations Weekly Highlight
On Nov. 2, Customs and Border Protection officers from the Nogales Port seized nearly five pounds of crystal methamphetamines. The drugs were discovered when a 36-year-old man was referred for a secondary inspection after applying for admission into the United States. In secondary, a narcotics detection canine alerted to the inside the man's vehicle. A subsequent search revealed three packages of the narcotics concealed inside a non-factory compartment in the dashboard.
CBP announced the JFC-AZ in February 2011 as an organizational realignment that brings together the Tucson and Yuma Border Patrol Sectors and Air Branches, as well as the Tucson Field Office, under a unified command structure. JFC-AZ integrates CBP's border security, commercial enforcement and trade facilitation missions to more effectively meet the unique challenges faced in Arizona. Follow us on Twitter @CBPArizona.