TUCSON, Ariz. — Four Mexican nationals and a pair of U.S. citizens were apprehended in separate incidents Dec. 3 and 4 for attempting to smuggle more than $1 million in cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine into the United States via the Port of Nogales’ DeConcini crossing.
Among the more significant seizures, one of the individuals apprehended was a 23-year-old Mexican man with an authorized SENTRI crossing. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers from the Office of Field Operations referred the man for further inspection of his Nissan sedan on Dec. 4. After a CBP narcotics detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs within the floor of his vehicle, officers removed 15 packages of meth weighing nearly 20 pounds and valued at more than $59,000. Officers also found 17.5 pounds of heroin worth an estimated $246,800. Officers cancelled the SENTRI document.
On the same day, a CBP narcotics detection canine alerted to the rear seats of a Toyota truck driven by a 39-year-old Tucson woman. Officers searched her vehicle and found more than 20 pounds of cocaine worth $213,000, as well as more than two pounds of meth valued in excess of $6,000.
On Dec. 3, officers referred a 22-year-old woman from Nogales, Sonora, Mexico for further questioning as she attempted to enter the U.S. A routine search of her Chevrolet sedan led to the discovery of six packages of cocaine within the undercarriage. The drugs, weighing more than 16.5 pounds, are valued at nearly $173,000.
In all incidents, officers seized the drugs and vehicles, and turned all subjects over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The SENTRI crosser’s document was also revoked.