[October 28, 2009]

CBP Officers Seize More than $1 Million in Drugs, Recover Stolen Auto at Nogales Port of Entry

Oct 28, 2009 (DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY DOCUMENTS AND PUBLICATIONS/ContentWorks via COMTEX) -- (Tuesday, October 27, 2009) Nogales, Ariz. - Customs and Border Protection officers at the Nogales ports of entry wrapped up a busy weekend with numerous drug seizures and the recovery of a stolen auto.

On Friday, October 23 CBP officers screening travelers at the DeConcini port of entry referred a 2001 Ford Expedition and its five occupants for an intensive inspection. CBP officers used a narcotics detection dog who alerted to the presence of narcotics within the floorboard of the vehicle. CBP officers discovered 39 packages of marijuana hidden in a non-factory compartment under the seats. The approximate weight of the narcotics was 59 pounds with an estimated street value of just over $140,448.

On Saturday, at approximately 5:15 a.m., CBP officers conducting security checks at the Mariposa port of entry discovered a 1997 Mitsubishi Mirage that had been abandoned at the port of entry. When the officers went to look at the vehicle, they found two large backpacks containing marijuana in the back seat. The officers seized almost 135 pounds of marijuana, valued at an estimated street value of more than $323,000.

Later that same morning CBP officers conducting routine inspections of vehicles and travelers entering the United States selected a 1989 Ford F-250 pickup for exam. The truck was being driven by a 27-year-old man from Sonora, Mexico. During the examination, CBP officers utilized a narcotics detection dog who alerted to the presence of narcotics in the gas tank of the vehicle. Officers then utilized high tech mobile x-ray unit to scan the vehicle. The scan yielded an anomaly in the vehicle and, when officers searched the truck, they discovered 33 packages of marijuana hidden within the gas tank. The weight of the drug was close to 110 pounds with an estimated street value of just over $262,000.

Also on Saturday morning, officers working at the Dennis DeConcini port of entry seized more marijuana found hidden in a 1998 Chevrolet Suburban, driven by a 27-year-old man from Sonora, Mexico. Utilizing a narcotics detection dog, CBP officers discovered 10 packages of marijuana hidden within a non-factory compartment in the rear of the vehicle. A total of 45 pounds was seized. The estimated street value of the narcotic is close to $107,000.

As the day continued CBP officers working the DeConcini port of entry selected a 1995 Chevy Blazer for exam, driven by a 30-year-old Mexican man. During exam, CBP officers utilized a narcotics detection dog who alerted to the presence of narcotics within the rear passenger quarter panel of the vehicle. Officers discovered ten packages of narcotics, including almost 10 pounds of cocaine and almost three pounds of heroin, inside the compartment. The combined estimated street value of the drugs is just over $477,000.

The final incident occurred at approximately 4:30 p.m that same day. CBP officers were screening travelers leaving the United States at the Dennis DeConcini port of entry and stopped a 2005 Jeep Wrangler, driven by a 14-year-old boy from Tucson, for further inspection. CBP officers checked law enforcement systems and discovered the Jeep had been reported stolen in Tucson. As a result, officers took the driver and vehicle into custody and turned them over to the Nogales Police Department for processing.

Those arrested in connection with the failed narcotics smuggling attempts were turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation.

Edith Serrano, CBP Public Affairs, Phone: (520) 375-5785 or, (520) 761-2863 CBP Headquarters, Office of Public Affairs, 1300 Pennsylvania Ave., N.W., Room 3.4A, Washington, DC 20229 Phone:(202) 344-1780 or, (800) 826-1471Fax:(202) 344-1393

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