WASHINGTON: U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at Arizona’s Port of Nogales arrested a 39-year-old Nogales, Arizona woman on Monday for an alleged attempt to smuggle more than 50 pounds of methamphetamine into the United States. When the woman attempted to enter the U.S. through the Dennis DeConcini crossing, a CBP officer directed her to a secondary inspection area. During the inspection, officers discovered 50 packages of methamphetamine hidden inside the doors and tailgate of her 2003 Dodge Ram truck.
Officers seized the drugs, valued in excess of $153,000, and vehicle. The suspect was charged for drug smuggling and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. Federal law allows officers to charge individuals by complaint, a method that allows for 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’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.
