Nogales, Ariz. — Drug smugglers kept officers busy Tuesday with three separate attempts to smuggle a combined 760 pounds of marijuana through the Port of Nogales.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry arrested a 53-year-old female Mexican national following the discovery of marijuana in her Ford truck. With the help of a CBP narcotics detection canine, officers located nearly $131,000-worth of marijuana hidden in a non-factory compartment under the entire bed of the truck.
Tuesday night, a 22-year-old Tucson male was arrested after officers located $148,000 in marijuana hidden in another Ford truck; within another non-factory compartment under the truck’s bed; again with assistance from a service canine.
In a third incident, a 65-year-old Tucson woman was arrested after officers – assisted by another canine – located more than 200 pounds of marijuana; this time stashed in a Dodge SUV’s doors, roof and gas tank.
The drugs and vehicles were seized. All subjects were referred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
CBP's Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within Homeland Security tasked with an anti-terrorism mission at our nation’s ports. CBP officers screen all people, vehicles and goods entering the United States while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. Their mission also includes carrying out border-related duties, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration and trade laws, and protecting the nation's food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.