TUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, officers arrested two individuals in separate drug smuggling attempts over the last two days.
Wednesday afternoon, CBP officers referred a 44-year-old Mexican national for additional questioning as she attempted to enter the U.S. driving a Nissan sedan. A CBP narcotics detection canine alerted to a scent it was trained to detect coming from her vehicle. During the search, officers discovered packages throughout the vehicle, which were later identified as nearly 102 pounds of methamphetamine, having a street value of more than $305,000.
Thursday evening, a 24-year-old man was referred for additional inspection as he attempted to enter the U.S. driving a Nissan. Officers found the man to have approximately eight pounds of fentanyl taped around his torso and calves. The drugs have an estimated street value of more than $107,000.
Officers seized the drugs and the vehicles, while both 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.
CBP's Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within Homeland Security 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 and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.
