CBP Officers at San Luis Have Busy Week of Arrests, Seizures

San Luis, Arizona — Last week, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the San Luis port of entry arrested several people in connection with failed drug smuggling attempts, including the unusual seizure of more than 39 pounds of hashish.

“We’ve had several really good seizures over the last week, including the hashish,” said Port Director William K. Brooks. “We never know what someone may try to sneak past us, but we are prepared for just about anything.”

On Jan. 11, CBP officers arrested a 33-year-old U.S. citizen attempting to smuggle both cocaine and methamphetamine into the U.S. The man was driving a 2004 Dodge Ram that was referred by a CBP officer for inspection. During the inspection, officers discovered almost 22 pounds of cocaine and more than 31 pounds of methamphetamine hidden inside the frame rails after a narcotics detector canine alerted to the vehicle.

Also on Jan. 11, just hours later, a 40-year-old Mexican national and his passenger were arrested during an attempt to smuggle marijuana hidden in a 1993 Dodge Dakota. They were referred to the secondary lot where CBP officers found more than 124 pounds of marijuana in the gas tank and spare tire.

On Jan. 13, a 38-year-old Mexican woman and her passenger were arrested after officers discovered more than 76 pounds of marijuana and more than 39 pounds of hashish hidden in the 2002 Chevrolet Cavalier they were driving.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection 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.