Douglas, Ariz. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers stopped a drug smuggling attempt when a large high-tech mobile X-ray unit detected more than 177 pounds of marijuana concealed in the double fuel tanks of a commercial semitrailer.
On Sept. 14, at approximately 12 p.m., CBP officers were screening commercial traffic coming from Mexico. The officers selected a commercial semitrailer for inspection. The semitrailer was being driven by a 39-year-old man from Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico. Utilizing a large mobile high-tech x-ray unit, the CBP officers were able to detect anomalies in the large dual fuel tanks of a semitrailer. Further inspection by the CBP officers revealed the fuel tanks contained non-factory steel boxes which were filled with marijuana. The total weight of marijuana was more than 177 pounds with an estimated street value of $1.6 million.
CBP officers seized the semitrailer and the marijuana. The man was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for further investigation and prosecution.
The Office of Field Operations is responsible for securing our borders at the ports of entry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers' primary mission is anti-terrorism; they screen all people, vehicles, and goods entering the United States, while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel into and out of the United States. Their mission also includes carrying out traditional border-related responsibilities, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration law, protecting the nation's food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases, and enforcing trade laws.
While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in impressive numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.