CBP Officers Seize More Than $220k In Coke

San Luis, Ariz. — Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to the Tucson field office seized more than 24 pounds of cocaine, valued in excess of $220,000, at the Port of San Luis Monday.

A 45-year-old Yuma man attempting to enter the United States was selected for a secondary inspection of his Chevrolet sedan. After a detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs and the vehicle was run through a routine x-ray, officers located 10 packages of cocaine in a non-factory compartment alongside the vehicle frame. The drugs and vehicle were processed for seizure. The man was arrested and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.

During January, more than 251 pounds of cocaine valued nearly at $2.3 million were seized at Arizona’s ports. That brings the year-to-date seizures for fiscal year 2012, which began Oct. 1, 2011, to almost 992 pounds valued at more than $9 million. The total seizure for fiscal year 2011 was more than 5,067 valued at more the $46.1 million.

Individuals arrested may be charged by complaint, the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity, which raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless and/or until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

CBP's Office of Field Operations is the primary organization within Homeland Security tasked with an anti-terrorism mission at our nation’s ports. CBP officers screen all people, vehicles and goods entering the United States while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel. Their mission also includes carrying out border-related duties, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration and trade laws, and protecting the nation's food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.

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.