SAN LUIS, ARIZ.—A local man is in custody after a failed attempt to smuggle nearly 21 pounds of meth into the United States through the port of San Luis on Wednesday.
Customs and Border Protection officers referred Virginio Quezada, 34, a U.S. citizen presently living in San Luis, Rio Colorado, Sonora, Mexico, for inspection of his Chevrolet van when he attempted to enter the U.S. After a CBP narcotics detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs behind the vehicle's dashboard, officers removed 20 packages of meth valued at $323,950. Quezada also had more than two ounces of cocaine in his possession.
The drugs and vehicle were seized. Quezada was 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.
The Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within Customs and Border Protection 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.