Nogales, Ariz. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to the Tucson Field Office, a component of CBP’s Joint Field Command – Arizona, seized more than $300,000 worth of cocaine in two separate incidents Friday.
Officers assigned to the Dennis DeConcini Port referred a 63-year-old Mexican female for a secondary inspection of her Chrysler van Friday morning when she attempted to enter the United States. After a CBP narcotics detection canine alerted to drugs under the hood, officers located and removed 12 packages of cocaine weighing nearly 32 pounds. The van and narcotics were processed for seizure. The man was taken into custody and turned over to ICE HSI for further investigation.
Later, officers working DeConcini’s pedestrian lanes referred a 16-year-old male for additional inspection. During questioning, he admitted to carrying drugs. Officers then searched the teen and removed four packages of cocaine – more than two pounds – found taped to his mid-section. The minor was taken into custody and turned over to ICE HSI for further investigation.
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.
CBP's Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within Homeland Security tasked with an anti-terrorism mission at our nation’s ports. CBP 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 duties, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration and trade laws, and protecting the nation's food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.
