Lukeville, Ariz. - U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Lukeville port of entry have prevented marijuana from entering the U.S. by drug trafficking organizations in two separate cases in just over the past few days.
On February 18, a seizure of more than 156 pounds of marijuana worth nearly $350,000 was discovered by CBP officers. A 31-year-old woman attempting to enter the United States was arrested after the drugs were found hidden inside the quarter panels and flooring of the van she was driving.
The woman has been turned over to the Pima County Sheriff's Department for further investigation.
In a separate incident on February 22, a 29-year-old woman and her two passengers, were arrested after CBP officers noted discrepancies in the initial inspection of the Sport Utility Vehicle she was driving.
While in secondary, the officers found the gas tank to have abnormal shapes which resulted in the discovery of nearly 228 pounds of marijuana.
The three occupants were immediately arrested and turned over to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.
The marijuana has an estimated street value of $510,000.