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  4. Cocaine Smuggler Arrested at Immigration Checkpoint

Cocaine Smuggler Arrested at Immigration Checkpoint

Release Date
Thu, 04/02/2020

TUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Border Patrol agents working the Interstate 19 Immigration Checkpoint near Amado apprehended a U.S. citizen attempting to smuggle cocaine Tuesday afternoon.

Agents seized 18 pounds of cocaine from a smuggling vehicle
Agents seized 18 pounds of cocaine
from a smuggling vehicle

Tucson Sector agents referred a Toyota SUV for secondary inspection after it entered the checkpoint around 2:40 p.m. Following an X-ray of the vehicle and a canine alert, agents discovered seven packages of cocaine, weighing over 18 pounds, inside the natural void of the rear wheel well and back seats. 

Agents seized both the cocaine and vehicle and arrested the 38-year-old male driver, who is facing federal drug smuggling charges.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection deploys a wide variety of detection technology for its law enforcement officers to use in order keep the nation safe from illegally smuggled narcotics.

For more details regarding this news release, contact the Tucson Sector Public Affairs Office at tca-pao@cbp.dhs.gov or by phone at 520-748-3210. Tucson Sector is also LiveU capable. Contact us to schedule an interview.

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 official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021