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  4. Douglas CBP Officers Seize $75K in Marijuana-SENTRI Participant Loses Privileges

Douglas CBP Officers Seize $75K in Marijuana-SENTRI Participant Loses Privileges

Release Date
Wed, 05/20/2015

TUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to the Port of Douglas arrested Jose Alberto Acosta-Silvain, 44, of Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico, after discovering nearly 290 pounds of marijuana throughout his Nissan sedan on May 19.

Packages of marijuana underneath hood of a smuggling vehicle

CBP officers located packages of marijuana underneath the hood of a smuggling vehicle.

In addition to losing the cargo, worth nearly $145,000, and his vehicle, Acosta’s SENTRI privileges (Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection) were revoked.

Douglas Port Director Margaret Baldenegro said the consequences are twice as significant. “The revocation of SENTRI documents should send a strong message to all members,” she said. “SENTRI is not a free pass. Instead, it is an expedited travel document when used properly through a dedicated crossing lane. But CBP officers can still inspect vehicles being driven by SENTRI cardholders.”

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations took custody of Acosta.

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.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021