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Lukeville CBP Officers Find Marijuana in Gas Tank

Release Date
Mon, 11/09/2015

TUCSON, Ariz. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection Field Operations officers seized more than 89 pounds of marijuana Sunday, worth an estimated $45,000, found in the gas tank of a vehicle attempting to enter the United States through Arizona’s Port of Lukeville.

Photo of marijuana seized by CBP officers at the Port of Lukeville on Sunday, Nov. 8

More than 89 pounds of marijuana was seized by CBP officers at the Port of Lukeville on Sunday, Nov. 8

After CBP officers selected a 1992 Chevy truck for a secondary inspection, a CBP narcotics-detection canine alerted officers to the drugs. Officers arrested the driver, David Mendoza, a 51-year-old U.S. citizen from Tolleson, Arizona, in connection with the case.

Officers processed the vehicle and drugs for seizure, and referred Mendoza to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.

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