Cincinnati DHL CBP Find Drugs which Lead to Arrest in Illinois

Cincinnati — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at the Cincinnati DHL express consignment operation seized over 49 pounds of marijuana on Thursday, August 5, when a large shipment, manifested as a wooden bookcase, arrived at the DHL facility. A CBP narcotics detector dog alerted to the shipment and as a result, CBP officers found over 20 packages of marijuana hidden within the sides of the bookcase wooden frame. The shipment was mailed from Guadalajara, Mexico and destined for Illinois.

A controlled delivery was executed by the Aurora Illinois Police Department which led to the arrest of Ignacio Santillan on Friday, August 6, 2010. Santillan was charged with Cannabis Trafficking, Possession of Cannabis with Intent to Deliver (over 5,000 grams) and Possession of Cannabis (over 5,000 grams). The marijuana had an estimated street value of $49,000.

CBP officers have found cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, ecstasy, hashish, heroin, khat, marijuana and opium in imported mail shipments coming into Cincinnati from all over the world. These drugs are hidden in some of the most creative and surreptitious ways hoping to elude CBP officers and CBP canine.

“Our CBP officers have seen it all. Cocaine, marijuana, heroin and other dangerous drugs hidden everywhere conceivable in all kinds of shipments, containers and packaging,” said David J. Murphy, CBP Director of Field Operations in Chicago. “This is an outstanding example of CBP working with local law enforcement to protect the communities we serve. Every week, everyday, and every minute our CBP officers are engaged in a battle to outsmart a most dangerous and clever enemy of this nation - the drug smuggler.”

CBP officers and agriculture specialists are stationed at the express consignment facilities located throughout the country. CBP is constantly screening arriving international mail and on the lookout for any type of contraband or prohibited items being shipped to the United States.