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  4. Border Patrol Seizes Nearly $2M in Hard Narcotics

Border Patrol Seizes Nearly $2M in Hard Narcotics

Release Date
Tue, 08/18/2020

TUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested two teenagers attempting to smuggle cocaine, meth and heroin near Rio Rico, Aug. 15.

Agents discovered 57 packages of suspected meth, cocaine and heroin concealed inside the vehicle.
Agents discovered 57 packages of
suspected meth, cocaine and
heroin concealed inside the vehicle.

Agents assigned to the Nogales Station, patrolling the desert just north of the International Border, observed several individuals emerge from the brush and load packages into a parked truck near Peña Blanca Lake. The individuals departed back into the desert as the truck drove away.

Minutes later, agents conducted a vehicle stop on a red Chevrolet Silverado located in the area. Agents discovered 57 packages of suspected meth, cocaine and heroin concealed inside the vehicle. At the Nogales Station, agents confirmed that the packages did in fact contain narcotics. The drugs totaled nearly $1,889,600 in street value.

The truck’s driver and passenger, both 18-year-old residents of Rio Rico, were arrested and ultimately turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration, along with the seized drugs, to face federal drug charges. Agents were unable to locate the individuals that emerged from the brush.

For more details regarding this news release, contact the Tucson Sector Public Affairs Office at tca-pao@cbp.dhs.gov or by phone at 520-748-3210. Tucson Sector is also LiveU capable. Contact us to schedule an interview.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021