Tucson, Ariz. - A 33-year-old male Mexican national was arrested Sunday for attempting to smuggle nearly 24 pounds of methamphetamine, valued at nearly $370,000, through the Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry in Nogales, Ariz.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the port selected a Chrysler van, driven by Marcos Abel Espinoza-Beltran, for further inspection following a positive alert by a CBP narcotics detection canine. During the search, officers removed 10 packages of meth from the rear sliding-door panels.
The vehicle and drugs were processed for seizure. Espinoza was referred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
Individuals arrested may be charged by complaint, the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity, which raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless and until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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.