Douglas, Ariz. – Since Sunday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Port of Douglas have seized more than 814 pounds of marijuana worth nearly $394,000.
The two latest seizures occurred Wednesday, resulting in 370 pounds seized. CBP officers first referred a 23-year-old female U.S. citizen, presently living in Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico, for a secondary inspection of her Chevrolet SUV. During the search, officers noticed anomalies in all five tires, as well as in the gas tank, and removed more than 292 pounds of marijuana, worth approximately $146,000.
A short time later, officers referred a 22-year-old male Mexican national for additional inspection of his Ford truck. After a CBP narcotics detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs, officers removed 45 packages of marijuana from the front fenders, doors, gas tank and tailgate. The drugs, weighing nearly 78 pounds, have an estimated value of nearly $39,000.
Both subjects were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The drugs and vehicles were seized.
Individuals arrested may be charged by complaint, the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity, which raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless and until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
CBP officers working at Arizona’s ports are assigned to the Office of Field Operations, the primary organization within Customs and Border Protection tasked with an anti-terrorism mission. 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.
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.
