CBP Officers Arrest Suspected Pot Smugglers

Douglas, Ariz. — Two local residents were arrested over the weekend for allegedly attempting to smuggle more than $238,000 worth of marijuana through the Douglas Port of Entry.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers referred Guadalupe Celeste Carrillo, 19, of Pirtleville, for inspection of her Chevrolet sedan when she attempted to enter the United States Friday. After a CBP narcotics canine alerted to the presence of drugs, officers located nearly 235 pounds of marijuana, worth more than $117,000, throughout the vehicle.

Sunday, officers referred a Mexican man and his family for a secondary inspection of his Chevrolet truck when a CBP narcotics canine alerted officers to the possible presence of drugs. Heriberto Rey Alvarez, 48, of neighboring Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico, was arrested after 117 packages of marijuana -- 242 pounds with an estimated value of $121,000 -- were found throughout his truck. Alvarez’ wife and children were released without further incident.

In both incidents, the drugs and vehicles were seized. Carrillo and Alvarez were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.

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 until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 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.