San Luis, Ariz - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers (CBP) at the San Luis Port of Entry seized more than $1.6 million worth of marijuana in three separate cases and arrested four on immigration violations.
On May 9th, two juveniles were arrested for attempting to smuggle marijuana strapped to their bodies. The first attempt was by a 15-year-old girl who was found to have more than five pounds of marijuana taped to her midsection. The second attempt was by a 16-year-old boy who had two pounds of marijuana taped to his legs and an outstanding warrant for absconding while on probation.
Both juveniles were arrested and turned over to the San Luis, AZ Police Department along with the seized marijuana.
The marijuana has an estimated street value of $72,000.00
On May 7th, CBP officers referred a 24-year-old man driving a GMC S-15 truck to the secondary inspection area where nearly 170 pounds of marijuana was found hidden within the truck bed. A narcotic detector dog and a density meter were used in the inspection.
The man was immediately arrested and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The marijuana has an estimated street value of $1,530,000.00
On May 8th, an arrest was made of a 29-year-old woman on who had an outstanding warrant originating from the San Luis, AZ court for the fraudulent use of a credit card and theft. The woman was arrested and turned over to the San Luis Police Department.
The first of the immigration violations cases occurred on the same day when a 29-year-old Mexican national attempted to pose as a United States citizen by presenting a U.S. passport to the primary CBP officer. The officer noticed the person did not resemble the photo on the document and immediately arrested the man. Further checks revealed the man had prior unsuccessful attempts into the U.S.
The second immigration violation occurred when a 54-year-old man for claimed to be a United States citizen. The primary officer referred the man into the office for further inspection where it was discovered through database queries that he was in fact a Mexican national and had arrests for prior deportations.
Lastly, the third immigration violation occurred when a 40-year-old woman attempted to enter the country with a (temporary) Legal Permanent Resident document. The primary officer noticed irregularities in the card and referred her to the office. Upon closer examination, the officers arrested the woman after they determined the document presented was fraudulent.