San Luis, Ariz. - U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the San Luis port of entry prevented nearly 140 pounds of narcotics with an estimated value of $1.5 million from entering the U.S. over this past weekend.
On Nov. 13, at approximately 8:28 a.m., a 39-year-old Mexican man driving a 2003 Ford Windstar applied for admission into the U.S. In the primary inspection area a narcotics detector dog alerted to the vehicle. CBP officers referred the vehicle for a secondary inspection. During the inspection, a CBP officer removed 44 packages of cocaine that was discovered in a non-factory compartment in the floor below the two front seats. The narcotics weighed more than 107 pounds with an estimated street value of $1,369,200.
On Nov. 14, at approximately 4:46 p.m., a 20-year-old Mexican woman driving a 2000 Ford Focus applied for admission into the U.S. In the primary inspection area a narcotics detector dog alerted to the vehicle. The CBP officer referred the vehicle for a secondary inspection. During the inspection, a CBP officer removed seven packages of methamphetamine that was discovered in a non-factory compartment in the dashboard of the vehicle. The narcotics weighed more than seven pounds with an estimated street value of $138,960.
Also on Nov. 14, at approximately 10:02 p.m., an 18-year-old Mexican woman driving a 2000 Chevy Malibu applied for admission in to the U.S. The CBP officer referred the vehicle for a secondary inspection after observing suspicious behavior from the woman. During a non-intrusive inspection, a CBP officer discovered six packages of marijuana concealed in the spare tire and seven packages of marijuana concealed in the door panels. The narcotics weighed more than 24 pounds with an estimated street value of $20,519.
"We are committed to keeping our communities safe by preventing dangerous narcotics from entering through the port," said Port Director William Brooks. "We are always vigilant when it comes to whom or what enters through the port."
In all incidents the drivers were arrested and turned to Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE). The narcotics and vehicles were seized by CBP with the exception on the marijuana which was turned over to San Luis Police Department.