February 10, 10

NEWS / Denver Woman Arrested for Marijuana Smuggling through Arizona Port

Douglas, Arizona — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers early today stopped a drug smuggling attempt when they seized more than 150 pounds of marijuana concealed in the gas tank of a vehicle belonging to a Denver woman.


CBP officers at the Douglas, Ariz. port of entry were screening travelers and vehicles around 5 a.m. when they came in contact with a 35-year-old woman driving a Ford F-250 pick-up. The woman was identified as a United States citizen and resident of Denver. Officers selected the vehicle for inspection.


Using high-tech tools, CBP officers searched the vehicle and discovered the gas tank contained special constructed stainless steel boxes. Each box was full of marijuana. The total weight of marijuana was 150 pounds with an estimated street value of $336,000.


Officers seized the vehicle and marijuana. The woman was turned over to the custody of Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation and prosecution.


While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in significant numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/local/02082010.xml