Nogales CBP Officers Seize Meth Worth $540K

Tucson, Ariz.— A 35-year-old male Mexican national was arrested Tuesday for attempting to smuggle nearly 35 pounds of methamphetamine, valued in excess of $540,000, through the Port of Nogales.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry selected a GMC SUV for further inspection following a positive alert by a CBP narcotics detection canine. Officers then removed a total of 32 packages from the front tires.

The vehicle and drugs were processed for seizure. The subject 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 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.