TUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Office of Field Operations Officers at the Port of Nogales had a busy weekend as they arrested 8 drug smugglers to include a teenager. The drugs consisted of methamphetamine, heroin, fentanyl and cocaine with a combined weight of nearly 175 pounds, with an estimated street value of more than $1,000,000.00.
Friday, two 18-year-old males, one a United States Citizen and the other a Mexican National attempted to make entry into the United States through the Dennis DeConcini Crossing in a sedan and were referred for further inspection. Officers found a total of 10 drug packages concealed in the rear rocker panels of the vehicle. The drugs were determined to be 31 pounds of cocaine.
On the same day, a 29-year-old, male United States Citizen attempted to make entry into the U.S. through the DeConcini Crossing in his truck and was referred for further inspection. Officers discovered a total of 8 drug packages hidden inside two hollowed pieces of wood. The drugs were determined to be 19 pounds of cocaine.
Saturday, a 24-year-old, male United States Citizen attempted to make entry into the U.S. through the DeConcini Crossing, in his truck and was referred for further inspection. After an alert by a CBP narcotics detection canine to a scent it is trained to detect, officers found a total of 9 drug packages inside the rear doors of the vehicle. The drugs were determined to be 8 pounds of heroin and 4 pounds of methamphetamine.
Sunday, a 24-year-old, male United States Citizen attempted to make entry into the U.S. through the DeConcini Crossing in his vehicle and was referred for further inspection. Officers seized 3 drug packages concealed on the subject’s person and inside a pair of socks in his backpack. The drugs totaled 3 pounds of fentanyl pills.
attempting to cross through the DeConcini
Crossing
Later that day, a 61-year-old, male United States Citizen attempted to make entry into the U.S. through the DeConcini Crossing in his truck and was referred for further inspection. Officers inspected the wooden table located in the bed of the truck and discovered 70 drug packages within the table legs. The drugs were determined to be 76 pounds of methamphetamine.
Also on Sunday, a 17-year-old, female United States Citizen attempted entry into the U.S. through the DeConcini Pedestrian Crossing. Officers referred her for further inspection, which led to the seizure of nearly 165 grams of fentanyl pills concealed inside her person.
Lastly, on Sunday, a 22-year-old, female United States Citizen attempted entry into the U.S. through the DeConcini Crossing in her sedan where officers found her to have almost 33 pounds of methamphetamine hidden inside the gas tank.
Federal law allows officers to charge individuals by complaint, a method that allows the filing of charges for criminal activity without inferring guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless and until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.