Ariz. CBP Officers Seize Narcotics at Port

SENTRI Participant Gets Status Revoked

San Luis, Ariz. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the port of San Luis continue to successfully interdict drugs, prohibit items, and stop unlawful entry into the U. S. In the period of April 10 - 15, CBP officers seized more than three pounds of methamphetamines, close to 13 pounds of cocaine and more than 16 pounds of heroin. In addition, they revoked a Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection member’s status due to an infraction of the Trusted Traveler Program.

“Our officers have been doing a great job,” said Port Director William K. Brooks. “They remain alert and continue to protect our nation from drugs and people who pose a threat to our communities and our way of life.”

On April 15, CBP officers at the San Luis port were screening travelers entering the country when they encountered a 16-year-old U.S. citizen with close to three pounds of methamphetamines. The drugs were found taped to the boy’s thighs and were concealed in two separate containers. The boy was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.

On April 11, CBP officers arrested a 23-year-old Mexican citizen for attempting to smuggle close to three pounds of heroin. The two packages of drugs were found taped to the woman’s midsection. The drugs were seized and the woman was turned over to ICE HSI for investigation.

On April 14, CBP officers arrested a 25-year-old U.S. citizen for attempting to smuggle five packages of cocaine weighing close to 13 pounds. The officers were assisted by a narcotics detection canine and discovered the drugs under the hood of the driver’s Mercury Cougar The drugs and vehicle were seized. The man was taken into custody and turned over to ICE HSI for investigation.

On April 12, CBP officers arrested a 23-year-old U.S. citizen for attempting to smuggle more than 13 pounds of heroin. The officers were assisted by a narcotics detection canine and discovered the drugs in the undercarriage of the driver’s Lincoln Town Car. The drugs and vehicle were seized and the man was turned over to ICE HSI for investigation.

On the same day, CBP officers arrested a 26-year-old Mexican citizen for attempting to smuggle close to one pound of methamphetamines. The officers were assisted by a narcotics detection canine and discovered the drugs under the hood of the driver’s Ford Taurus. The drugs and vehicle were seized. The man was taken into custody and turned over to ICE HSI.

Also on April 10, CBP officers encountered a 30-year-old woman in the dedicated commuter lane for SENTRI Trusted Travelers who failed to declare medication purchased in Mexico. As a result of the violation of the program rules, the woman’s SENTRI membership status was revoked. She was also charged a penalty for failing to declare the medication.

Another incident on April 10 occurred when CBP officers encountered a man who presented a U.S. passport card as his entry document. The officers determined he was not the rightful owner of the document and was posing as a U.S. citizen in order to gain entry into the country. The officers took the man into custody for immigration violations.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.