Ports of entry seizures exceed $9 million in narcotics, $229,000 in currency

by Hugh Holub on Aug. 05, 2011


Press Releases from DHS US Customns and Border Protection:
August 4, 2011:

Joint Field Command-Week in Review

Seizures exceed $9 million in narcotics, $229,000 in currency

TUCSON, Ariz. — The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Arizona Joint Field Command (AZ-JFC) is reporting the seizure of more than 16,155 pounds of narcotics, with an estimated value of more than $9.2 million, and the apprehension of 1,594 illegal immigrants at the Arizona border July 25 – 31.

Narcotics seizures consisted of more than 16,050 pounds of marijuana, 81 pounds of cocaine, 19 pounds of methamphetamines and five pounds of heroin. CBP also intercepted 100 rounds of ammunition, $229,000 in illegal outbound currency, and 22 vehicles used for illicit purposes.

CBP in Arizona has apprehended more than 7,300 illegal immigrants and seized in excess of 91,600 pounds of marijuana during July 2011. This represents a 26 percent decrease in apprehensions, which is a key indicator in illegal immigration, and a 17 percent increase in marijuana seizures when compared to monthly totals for June 2011. CBP credits this success to the integrated border enforcement effort in Arizona and significant increases in personnel, technology and tactical infrastructure.

Since launching the Southwest Border Initiative in March, 2009, the Department of Homeland Security, under Secretary Janet Napolitano, has engaged in an unprecedented effort to bring focus and intensity to Southwest border security; coupled with a reinvigorated, smart and effective approach to enforcing immigration laws in the interior of our country.


TUCSON, Ariz. — The following is a snapshot of certain Department of Homeland Security activities along the Southwest border. This rundown provides a thumbnail of each incident.

Joint Field Command Statistics – Over the past 48 hours in Arizona

(Narcotics weights are measured in pounds)

Marijuana seized 3,713

Methamphetamines seized 6

Outbound currency seized $2,713

Individuals presented in federal court for prosecution* 187

Individuals prosecuted under Operation Streamline* 118

Individuals prosecuted on federal drug charges* 11

*These numbers only represent those apprehended by Border Patrol and presented for prosecution.

On August 1, Border Patrol agents from the Naco Station apprehended an illegal immigrant west of the Naco Port of Entry. Using the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System, agents revealed the subject was a sex offender based on a 1990 conviction in Kennewick, Wash. for rape. The subject is being criminally prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Illegal Entry.

On August 1, agents assigned to the Naco Station apprehended an illegal immigrant from Mexico with a prior removal from the U.S. who admitted to being a member of the Sureño 13 street gang. The subject is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for re-entry of a felon.

On August 1, agents from the Willcox Station conducting checkpoint operations along State Route 90 arrested a 56-year-old United States citizen who was attempting to smuggle an illegal immigrant from Oaxaca, Mexico, in the trunk of his vehicle. The vehicle was seized and the illegal immigrant was transported to the Willcox Station for further processing while the driver is being prosecuted for alien smuggling.

On August 1, Douglas Border Patrol agents apprehended a subject for illegally entering the United States about two miles east of the Douglas Port. During processing, the subject admitted to being part of the Varrio Frontera Locos Sureno 13 street gang. He is being criminally prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for illegal entry.

On August 2, agents assigned to the Ajo Station received a citizen call about a suspicious vehicle at the Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument. Agents responded to the area and discovered an abandoned pick-up truck containing 41 bundles of marijuana. The marijuana weighed about 915 pounds with an estimated value of $457,500. The vehicle and marijuana were seized.

On August 2, a 32-year-old female illegal immigrant from Mexico was apprehended by Douglas Border Patrol agents after illegally entering the United States about three miles east of the Douglas Port. Record checks through IAFIS revealed that the subject was arrested by the Phoenix Police Department for Negligent Homicide, a charge which she was convicted of in 2001. She will be presented for prosecution by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

A 17-year-old Mexican female was arrested August 1 for attempting to smuggle more than two pounds of marijuana through the Douglas Port. The subject was submitted for a routine pat down, which led to the discovery of two packages taped around her abdomen and back. The subject was referred to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for further investigation.

A 22-year-old U.S. citizen was arrested August 1 for attempting to smuggle 137 pounds of marijuana through the Lukeville Port. CBP officers used a narcotics detection canine and non-intrusive x-ray to locate the drugs in the vehicle’s fuel tank. The man was referred to ICE HSI for further investigation.

A 41-year-old man from Douglas was attempting to depart the United States August 2 when officers referred him for additional questioning. When officers ran a routine records check, they discovered an outstanding arrest warrant for assault. The man was arrested and turned over to Douglas Police.

A 15-year-old U.S. citizen was arrested August 2 after CBP officers located a package of marijuana wrapped and hidden inside his backpack when he tried to enter the United States through a pedestrian lane at the Douglas Port. The drugs, weighing nearly three ounces, have an estimated value of less than $100. The marijuana was seized and the subject was turned over to ICE HSI.

A 25-year-old Mexican woman was arrested August 2 for possession of nearly 66 pounds of marijuana when she attempted to enter the United States through a vehicle lane at the Douglas Port. A narcotics detection canine alerted CBP officers who then located 71 packages of marijuana in her vehicle. The subject was transferred to the custody of ICE HSI.

A 49-year-old Mexican man was arrested August 2 after officers at the Dennis DeConcini Port in Nogales located nearly 33 pounds of marijuana hidden in his truck. A narcotics detection canine alerted officers who then located 31 packages hidden in a non-factory compartment in one of the truck’s doors. The subject was transferred to ICE HSI.

A 46-year-old Mexican man attempted to enter the United States through a vehicle lane August 2 at the Mariposa commercial port in Nogales and was referred for additional inspection. After a narcotics detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs in the vehicle, officers removed 26 bundles of marijuana. The subject was taken into custody and referred to ICE HSI.

A 36-year-old U.S. citizen was arrested August 2 for attempting to smuggle methamphetamines through the San Luis Port. Officers conducted a routine pat down search of the man and located five packages taped to his back. When officers ran a routine records check on the subject, they also discovered an outstanding arrest warrant on drug charges. The methamphetamines, weighing nearly six pounds, have an estimated value exceeding $86,000. The subject was referred to ICE HSI.

On August 1, Border Patrol agents from the Yuma Station were patrolling east of the San Luis Port when they received notification from the Air & Marine Operations Center of a possible ultralight aircraft incursion. Agents began searching the area and located 14 bundles of marijuana in a field near County 19th Street and Avenue B. About 244 pounds of marijuana, worth an estimated $122,200, was seized and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

On August 2, Border Patrol agents from the Blythe Station assisted the Riverside County Sheriff’s Office in locating a 20-year-old female suspected of stabbing another individual. When agents arrived at the crime scene, they located and tracked foot prints leading to the suspect hiding behind a tree stump. She was subsequently turned over to the RCSO to face charges for assault with a deadly weapon.

On August 2, Cocopah Tribal Police Department (CTPD) officers seized 147 pounds of marijuana while working a joint operation with Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents. Officers responded to an area near County 8th Street where individuals were seen loading marijuana into a vehicle. The driver, a juvenile U.S. citizen, was arrested while the marijuana and vehicle were seized by CTPD.

In February, CBP announced the Arizona Joint Field Command (JFC)—an organizational realignment that brings together Border Patrol, Air and Marine, and Field Operations under a unified command structure to integrate CBP’s border security, commercial enforcement, and trade facilitation missions to more effectively meet the unique challenges faced in the Arizona area of operations.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) promotes homeland security and public safety through the criminal and civil enforcement of federal laws governing border control, customs, trade, and immigration. ICE and CBP collaborate in investigations regarding criminal organizations with a nexus to the border.

Since launching the Southwest Border Initiative in March 2009, the Obama administration has engaged in an unprecedented effort to bring focus and intensity to Southwest border security, coupled with a reinvigorated, smart and effective approach to enforcing immigration laws in the interior of our country.

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