(Thursday, January 26, 2012)
Westmorland, Calif. – Today, El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Indio station arrested a suspected drug smuggler with more than nine pounds of cocaine worth more than $300,000.
The incident occurred around 11 a.m., at the Highway 86 Checkpoint near Westmorland. A Border Patrol Canine Team alerted to a white Freightliner truck. Agents then utilized a large-scale imaging system and discovered a non-factory installed compartment in the truck. Concealed within the compartment were two packages of cocaine. During a pat-down of the smuggler, two additional packages of cocaine were discovered duct taped to the smuggler’s body.
The suspect, a 34-year-old Mexican national, was placed under arrest and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration along with the truck and narcotics.
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.
A 20-year-old Mexican male, attempting to enter the United States, was selected for a secondary inspection of his Chevrolet van. After a CBP narcotics detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs, the van was taken to a vehicle lift where officers located 10 packages of cocaine inside a non-factory compartment. The drugs and vehicle were processed for seizure. The man was arrested and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
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. 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.
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.
Agents patrolling 14 miles west of Gila Bend intercepted the small group carrying large rectangular backpacks of marijuana through the desert. The suspects all Mexican nationals, and marijuana were turned over to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.
Arizona-based Border Patrol agents have made significant progress combating transnational criminal organizations by impacting their ability to transport contraband farther into the United States, and ensuring smugglers face stiff federal penalties for their actions. In Arizona, the probability of being detected and the consequences of doing so are higher than ever before.
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.
Ajo and Casa Grande Border Patrol agents conducting joint operations with HSI agents near Stanfield, Ariz., discovered an abandoned pick-up truck loaded with 42 bundles of marijuana. The vehicle was stopped on the side of the road but still running. Stacked in the cab and in the bed of the truck, agents found 947 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $473,500. The truck and drugs were seized and processed.
In a second incident, Ajo agents received information from HSI concerning a group of suspected narcotics smugglers moving through the west desert. Agents on horseback, supported by CBP air assets, responded to the area and discovered two smugglers and a vehicle loaded with 101 bundles of marijuana. The vehicle and 1,858 pounds of narcotics, valued at approximately $929,000, were seized and processed. The smugglers are in custody facing federal prosecution on drug charges.
The Border Patrol continuously works with federal, state and local partners to reduce crime and improve the quality of life in Arizona communities. Combined efforts and intelligence-sharing has made it increasingly difficult for smugglers to operate with impunity and transport their contraband throughout the United States.
Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling (1-877) 872-7435 toll free.
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.
