TUCSON, Ariz. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Nogales Commercial Facility seized methamphetamine last week from a Mexican national when he attempted to enter the United States through the Port of Nogales. The seizure is the largest methamphetamine load in Arizona ports history.
CBP Officers discovered more than 600 packages of drugs concealed within a non-factory floor compartment of a tractor trailer that was laden with tomatoes and bell peppers, driven by a 34-year-old truck driver. Following an alert by a CBP narcotics detection canine, CBP officers seized approximately 690 pounds of methamphetamine with a street value of nearly $690,000.
pounds of meth from a tractor trailer
Area Port Director Michael Humphries lauded his staff at the Nogales’ Mariposa Cargo Facility for this record breaking drug seizure and arrest.
“CBP Officers are focused on our highest priorities which includes stopping the flow of hard narcotics such as methamphetamine and opioids from entering our country. Our officers prevented these dangerous drugs from causing devastation to families and ultimately saving many lives, not only in our community but throughout the United States.”
The driver was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
“As proud partners of CBP, we stand ready to investigate drug seizures discovered at the ports of entry by those who are uniquely qualified in stopping attempts of illicit drugs from entering the United States,” said Juan Mariscal, the Nogales Assistant Special Agent in Charge, for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). “HSI remains dedicated to working with our law enforcement partners to keep our communities safe."
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.