Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents from the Nogales Station arrested a local woman smuggling methamphetamine at the immigration checkpoint near Amado, Arizona on Thursday afternoon.
Agents at the Interstate 19 immigration checkpoint referred a shuttle van for a secondary immigration inspection where they discovered two small bundles of methamphetamine on the woman’s person.
The 18-year-old was taken into custody and transported to the Nogales Border Patrol Station.
The substance was confirmed as methamphetamine at the Nogales Station, with a total weight of one pound and an estimated street value of $33,000.
The woman is currently being held on drug smuggling charges and is awaiting disposition.
Federal law allows agents to charge individuals by complaint, a method that allows the filing of charges for criminal activity without inferring guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless and until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
CBP welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. All calls will be answered and remain anonymous.