TUCSON – A San Luis, Sonora, Mexico, man and 4 U.S. citizens were arrested this week in four separate alleged attempts to smuggle 282 pounds of methamphetamine and cocaine through the Port of San Luis, worth nearly $903,000.
On Tuesday morning, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers referred a Yuma man, age 69, for additional inspection of his Ford truck as he attempted to enter the U.S. After a CBP narcotics dog alerted to the scent of drugs coming from within the gas tank, officers discovered nearly 130 packages of drugs. The drugs were identified as nearly 75 pounds of meth, worth an estimated value of more than $224,000, according to CBP.
Later on Tuesday, officers referred an 18-year-old Tolleson woman for further inspection of her Nissan sedan as she attempted to enter the U.S. Officers searched the vehicle and located 70 packages with more than 95 pounds of meth, worth almost $286,000. They also seized almost 3 pounds of cocaine, worth over $63,000.
Early Wednesday morning, a 28-year-old Phoenix woman and her 22-year-old female passenger, also from Phoenix, were questioned as officers referred a Toyota sedan for further inspection as they attempted to enter the U.S. A search of the vehicle led to the discovery of nearly 55 pounds of meth, worth almost $164,000 that was hidden inside the rear quarter panels as well as in the spare tire, according to CBP.
On Wednesday afternoon, a CBP canine alerted to drugs in a SUV driven by a Mexican national from San Luis, Rio Colorado, Sonora, Mexico. Officers removed more than 60 packages of drugs from a non-factory compartment in the rear of the cab wall. The drugs were identified as more than 55 pounds of meth, worth almost $166,000.
Officers seized the drugs and the vehicles, while all five subjects were arrested and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.