NEW YORK: Customs and Border Protection officers arrested two Mexican nationals and a Douglas, Ariz. teen during separate marijuana smuggle attempts through the Port of Douglas.More than 300 pounds of marijuana are seized by officers at the Port of Douglas
Officers referred Carlos Enrique Noperi-Nallares, 18, of Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico, for further inspection of his Saturn SUV and, using a narcotics-detection canine, found nearly 308 pounds of marijuana throughout the vehicle worth almost $154,000.Packages of marijuana are located and removed from underneath the body of a smuggling vehicle stopped by CBP officers at the Port of Douglas
A few hours earlier, a service canine alerted officers to a Ford sedan belonging to Rosa Alejandra Mejia-Rico, 21, of Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico. Officers searched the vehicle and found more than 282 pounds of marijuana worth approximately $141,000.
A 17-year-old Douglas teen lost his Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) privileges after officers found more than 22 pounds of marijuana within the spare tire of his Volkswagens. The drugs are valued at more than $11,000. The teen’s Global Entry Card was revoked based on trusted traveler requirements.
Douglas Port Director Margaret Baldenegro addressed the recent number of drug seizures. “Drug smugglers can be quite innovative in their attempts to bring drugs into our nation,” she said. “It’s important to note that our people have technology that makes it tougher than ever for criminals to be successful.”
Officers seized all drugs and vehicles, and referred both subjects to Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
