TUCSON, Ariz. – Customs and Border Protection officers arrested a Mexican national man and a Tucson woman connected to separate smuggling attempts on Monday at the Port of Nogales, resulting in the seizure of more than 42 pounds of cocaine.
Officers discovered nearly 24 pounds of cocaine within a hidden compartment inside of a smuggling vehicle.
Officers at the Mariposa crossing referred Cesar Gastelum-Pompa, 51, a Permanent Resident Alien presently living in Nogales, Arizona for a secondary vehicle inspection of his Chevrolet SUV. A CBP narcotics-detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs between the floor and gas tank, leading to the discovery of nearly 24 pounds of cocaine worth more than $250,000.
Later, officers at the Dennis DeConcini crossing referred a Shayna Rosalind Gualtieri, 28, of Tucson for an inspection of her Nissan sedan. A CBP narcotics-detection canine alerted to the rear bumper where officers found seven packages of cocaine weighing more than 18 pounds and worth nearly $193,000.
Officers processed all drugs and vehicles involved, and referred both subjects to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.