CBP officers at the Port of Lukeville discovered 90 pounds of marijuana within a smuggling vehicle
LUKEVILLE, Ariz. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection Field Operations officers seized more than 90 pounds of marijuana and five weapons in separate incidents Saturday at the Port of Lukeville.
Officers referred Nicolas Rodriguez Morales, 39, of Sonoyta, Mexico, for a secondary inspection of his 2006 Buick when he attempted to enter the U.S. After a CBP canine alerted to the vehicle for possible narcotics, officers found more than 90 pounds of marijuana hidden throughout the vehicle. Officers estimated the drugs to be worth almost $50,000.
Officer conducting outbound investigations on Saturday, seized weapons and ammunition within a vehicle attempting to travel into Mexico.
Also on Saturday, officers intercepted and referred a 2008 Malibu for an outbound, secondary inspection and discovered several handguns, automatic weapons and ammunition. Officers arrested the driver, Julian Higuera, 26, a U.S. citizen from Phoenix.
Officers turned both suspects over to U.S Homeland Security Investigations.
“Any weapons seizure is significant,” said Garret Reinhart, the port’s chief of staff. “As a result, these weapons will not make it into the hands of people seeking to cause harm upon our society.
CBP works alongside partners like Mexican customs and other U.S. local, state and federal agencies to stop these illegal smuggling activities.”