U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Area Port of San Luis, Arizona, intercepted two methamphetamine smuggling attempts on Tuesday.
The first incident took place around 3:15 a.m. when officers stopped a 42-year-old man driving a pickup truck entering from Mexico. The driver, identified as a Mexican citizen and legal permanent resident, was directed to further inspection.
During the secondary examination, non-intrusive technology detected irregularities in the vehicle. A CBP K-9 unit also signaled the presence of narcotics. Officers conducted an extensive search and found 92 packages hidden in various parts of the truck, including the spare tire, tailgate, and speaker box behind the backseat. These packages contained approximately 143 pounds of methamphetamine.
A few hours later, at about 11:30 a.m., CBP officers encountered another case involving a 65-year-old woman driving a sedan from Mexico. She held a B1/B2 visa and was referred for additional scrutiny.
In this instance, a CBP K-9 alerted officers to narcotics on her person. A personal search revealed more than four pounds of methamphetamine concealed around her midsection.
The combined street value of the seized drugs is estimated at $153,762.
Chris Leon, Area Port Director for San Luis stated: “Our CBP officers and canine teams continue to be proactive and thorough in their methods to stop contraband from entering the country.” He emphasized their dedication to public safety.
Both drivers were handed over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations after officers confiscated the drugs and vehicles involved.
Federal law permits charging individuals by complaint without implying guilt until proven otherwise by competent evidence presented before a jury beyond reasonable doubt.
CBP’s Office of Field Operations leads anti-terrorism efforts at national ports while facilitating legitimate trade and travel. Their responsibilities include drug interdiction along with enforcing immigration laws and protecting agricultural industries from threats like pests or diseases.
For more information or to report suspicious activities such as terrorism or trafficking contact: 866-739-9118. Follow updates on Twitter via @CBPArizona, @DFOTucson, @CBPPortDirNOG.
