Douglas, Ariz. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers stopped a drug smuggling attempt when they seized more than 30 pounds of crystal meth concealed inside a non factory compartment built into the fire wall of a vehicle.
On Dec. 10, at approximately 1 p.m., CBP officers were screening traffic coming from Mexico. The officers selected a 2005 Dodge Ram pickup truck for inspection. The vehicle was being driven by an 18-year-old man. The man was identified as a U.S. citizen and resident of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. The CBP officers discovered the fire wall inside the engine compartment had been altered and was being used to smuggle packages of crystal meth. It was also discovered that the space behind the backseat of the pickup had also been altered and was full of packages of crystal meth. The total weight of crystal meth was more than 30 pounds with an estimated street value of $1.4 million.
"This was a significant seizure," said Ernestine Morris, assistant port director for the Douglas port of entry. "Crystal meth is a very dangerous and addicting drug and is responsible for the disruption of families and entire communities. Customs and Border Protection remains vigilant as guardians of our nation."
CBP officers seized the vehicle and the crystal meth. The man was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation and prosecution.
A criminal complaint is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt
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.