TUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Arizona’s Port of Nogales arrested two U.S. citizens and one Mexican national in separate incidents involving approximately $540,000 worth of methamphetamine, fentanyl and marijuana.
Officers working at the Dennis DeConcini Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) Vehicle crossing Wednesday morning, found more than 24 pounds of meth, worth close to $73,000, attached to the underside of a Ford Ranger driven by a 62-year-old U.S. citizen woman. Her SENTRI privileges were also revoked.
Meanwhile, a 43-year-old male Mexican national driving a Chevy Blazer applied to enter the country. A CBP narcotics-detection canine’s alert then led to the discovery of nearly 170 pounds of marijuana worth $85,000, hidden in the seats and behind speakers.
A couple of hours later, officers referred a 28-year-old U.S. citizen woman for further inspection of her Chevy Impala when she attempted to enter the U.S. through the DeConcini crossing. During the inspection, a CBP canine’s alert led officers to approximately 33 pounds of meth and more than 6 pounds of fentanyl, worth in excess of $383,000 combined.
Officers arrested all subjects for narcotics smuggling and seized their vehicles, along with the drugs. All subjects were then turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.