TUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Port of Nogales officers seized 615 pounds of cocaine, nearly 40,000 fentanyl pills, 143 pounds of methamphetamine, 754 assorted rounds of ammo/magazines, and nearly $30,000 of undeclared currency in separate smuggling attempts throughout the week.
Monday, officers at the Mariposa Commercial Facility referred a 43-year-old Mexican national male, for additional inspection of the tractor trailer he was driving as he attempted to enter the U.S. The search led to the discovery of over 230 packages of cocaine, totaling 615 pounds, with an estimated street value of $8.37M.
seized 615 pounds of cocaine from a tractor
trailer
On the same day, CBP officers at the DeConcini Crossing arrested at a 55-year-old male U.S. citizen with nearly 55 pounds of methamphetamine concealed within his truck’s spare tire.
Still later that day, a 31-year-old female U.S. citizen was arrested with more than 37,000 fentanyl pills and almost 20 pounds of methamphetamine concealed within the spare tire of her vehicle. The fentanyl pills have an estimated street value of $1.13M, while the methamphetamine is worth an estimated value of $36,000.
Later last week, during outbound inspections, CBP officers seized over 754 rounds of assorted ammunition, firearm magazines, and over $15,000 of undeclared currency in two separate smuggling attempts. The ammunition and magazines both consisted of multiple caliber types.
Finally, over the weekend, officers continued in their meticulous enforcement efforts, as they intercepted three separate smuggling attempts of over 70 pounds of methamphetamine, nearly 1,500 fentanyl pills, and $15,000 of undeclared currency.
Nogales Area Port Director, Michael Humphries commended the results and successes of his personnel. “Continued layered enforcement actions and our entire team’s joint efforts are key to fulfilling our mission of protecting the homeland.” He concluded, “Our officers are keeping deadly drugs off our streets and preventing illegal proceeds and ammunition from reaching the hands of transnational criminal organizations.”
Officers seized the drugs and vehicles, while the subjects were arrested and then turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
Federal law allows officers to charge individuals by complaint, a method that allows the filing of charges for criminal activity without inferring guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless and until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.