November 25, 09

NEWS / Drugs, Money, Immigration Violators Keep Nogales CBP Busy

Nogales, Arizona - Customs and Border Protection officers at Nogales, Ariz. ports of entry are off to a busy start this holiday season as they foil six attempts to smuggle drugs into the United States, seize $20,000 in undeclared currency, and apprehend 31 immigration violators.


CBP officers working at the Dennis DeConcini and Mariposa ports of entry seize over $1.5 million in narcotics. Since Friday November 20th to Sunday November 22nd, there were six attempts to smuggle narcotics into the United States. A total of 125 pounds of marijuana, 35 pounds of cocaine, and five pounds methamphetamine were discovered hidden within various compartments of vehicles. One attempt involved a 16-year-old boy who actually had the narcotics strapped to the back of his leg.


In addition to the drug seizures, CBP officers working in conjunction with Nogales Police Department officers seized $20,000 in undeclared currency. Officers were conducting routine inspections of vehicles leaving the United States when they selected a Honda Odyssey driven by a California man. During an inspection of the vehicle, officers discovered $20,000 concealed inside blue jeans mingled with other clothing.


Finally, CBP officers apprehended 31 immigration violators. Those apprehended were attempting to enter the United States illegally by using documents that did not belong to them. The individuals were processed as immigration violators and either returned to Mexico after being barred from entering the United States or are being held in custody for possible prosecution on identity theft charges.


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

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/11242009_10.xml

Tags: document,