Nogales, Arizona - Customs and Border Protection officers at Arizona’s Port of Nogales seized more than $194,000 worth of hard drugs from an Arizona couple’s vehicle Wednesday afternoon.
CBP officers referred the 40-year old man along with his 37-year old wife for a secondary inspection of their Dodge Journey when they applied for entry into the United States through the DeConcini crossing. Officers discovered multiple packages of methamphetamine, heroin and fentanyl concealed in the dash and under the seats.
Officers arrested the couple and turned them over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The vehicle and drugs were seized.
Federal law allows officers to charge individuals by complaint, a method that allows the 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 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.