NOGALES, ARIZ.—Three women were arrested Tuesday during two separate attempts to smuggle more than $130,000 worth of heroin and methamphetamine.
Customs and Border Protection officers at the Nogales port first arrested two adult female Mexican nationals, traveling with minor children, and seized a 2000 Jeep after they attempted to enter the United States with nearly 7 pounds of heroin valued at almost $94,000.
Just before midnight, a CBP officer stationed at the DeConcini pedestrian crossing referred a 48-year-old Tucson woman for additional questioning. The woman was subsequently searched and officers discovered three packages of methamphetamine weighing more than 2 pounds and valued at more than $36,000.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations took custody of the three women.
CBP's Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within Homeland Security tasked with an anti-terrorism mission. 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 narcotics interdiction; enforcing immigration and trade laws; and protecting the nation's food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.