San Luis, Ariz. - A Mexican national was arrested on November 5, for attempting to smuggle $237,000 worth of methamphetamine into the United States at the San Luis port of entry.
Customs and Border Protection officers referred Jose Fernando Sanchez-Rocha, 25, for additional inspection of his Ford sedan. A CBP narcotics detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs in the rear seat area wherein officers located more than 15 pounds of methamphetamine in the support beam above the rear axle.
The drugs and vehicle were seized. Sanchez-Rocha was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement- 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.
The CBP Office of Field Operations is the primary organization 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 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.