C.B.P. News Release

San Luis CBP Officers Nab Pot and Meth Smugglers

(Wednesday, August 10, 2011)

San Luis, Ariz. — Local Customs and Border Protection officers arrested three people on drug-smuggling charges Monday.

A 27-year-old Mexican national was arrested for attempting to smuggle more than $72,000 worth of marijuana into the United States through a vehicle lane at the port. A narcotics detection canine alerted to the man’s vehicle, prompting officers to conduct a secondary search. Inside the tires, officers located 16 packages with a total weight of 145 pounds. The subject was arrested and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) for further investigation.

An 18-year-old U.S. citizen attempted to enter the United States through the pedestrian lanes Monday and was referred for a secondary questioning. An officer conducted a routine pat down and found two packages of methamphetamine taped to his legs. The drugs weighed more than two pounds and have an estimated value of more than $34,000. The subject was arrested and turned over to ICE HSI for further investigation.

A 25-year-old U.S. citizen attempting to enter the United States through a pedestrian lane Monday was referred for secondary questioning. When officers ran a routine records check they discovered he had an outstanding arrest warrant for drug smuggling. He was arrested and turned over to the U.S. Marshals Service.

Individuals arrested are charged with a criminal complaint, which 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.

Since launching the Southwest Border Initiative in March 2009, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has made significant investments toward establishing a secure and safe border environment to improve the quality of life throughout Arizona communities.

CBP's Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within Homeland Security tasked primarily with an anti-terrorism mission at our nation’s ports. OFO officers screen all people, vehicles and goods entering the United States while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. Their mission also includes carrying out border-related responsibilities, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration and trade laws, and protecting the nation's food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Contacts For This News Release
Teresa Small
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (928) 627-8854 Ext: 207

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