Nogales, Ariz. - An 18-year-old Mexican national attempting to smuggle approximately 57 pounds of cocaine, three pounds of methamphetamine and 2.5 pounds of heroin into the United States was arrested Wednesday by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers assigned to the Dennis DeConcini Port.
Officers referred the man for a secondary inspection of his Ford Expedition after a CBP canine alerted to the presence of drugs. During the secondary inspection, officers located 22 packages of cocaine, two packages of methamphetamine and one package of heroin. The drugs have a combined value of more than $595,000.
The drugs and vehicle were processed for seizure. The subject was arrested and turned over 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.