Douglas, Ariz. - An Agua Prieta man was arrested on Wednesday for attempting to smuggle marijuana through the Douglas port of entry in southeast Arizona.
Douglas Customs and Border Protection referred a 23-year old Mexican national for inspection of his Ford Expedition when he attempted to enter the U.S. Wednesday afternoon. After a CBP narcotics detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs, officers located 162 packages of marijuana throughout the vehicle that weighed more than 286 pounds with an estimated value of more than $143,000.
The drugs and vehicle were processed for seizure. The subject was arrested and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations.
Individuals arrested may be charged by complaint, the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity, which raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless and until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
The Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within Customs and Border Protection tasked with an anti-terrorism mission at our nation's ports. CBP officers screen all people, vehicles and goods entering the U.S. 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.