San Luis CBP Officers Thwart Attempts to Smuggle Narcotics on Bodies

Heroin, Methamphetamine, Marijuana Seized

San Luis, Ariz. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the San Luis Port of Entry arrested three individuals for attempting to smuggle drugs on their bodies and another individual for attempting to smuggle drugs concealed in his car. One illegal immigrant was also apprehended for attempting to use a document that did not belong to him.

On April 19, CBP officers encountered an 18-year-old riding a bicycle and referred him for a secondary inspection after observing suspicious behavior. Further inspection yielded a package of marijuana taped to his midsection. The narcotics weighed more than one pound with an estimated value of $500. The man was taken into custody and turned over to the San Luis Police Department.

Also, on April 19, CBP officers encountered a 17-year-old juvenile attempting to smuggle narcotics in his shoes through the pedestrian lane. Officers observed suspicious behavior and referred the juvenile for a secondary inspection. Subsequently, heroin was discovered concealed inside each of his shoes. The narcotics weighed more than three pounds which has an estimated value of $145,000. The juvenile was taken into custody and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.

On April 18, CBP officers encountered a 46-year-old man who attempted to smuggle narcotics through the pedestrian lane. A narcotics detection canine alerted to the man after he was referred for a secondary inspection. Subsequently, CBP officers discovered a package of methamphetamine taped to the man’s lower back. The narcotics weighed more than one pound with an estimated value of $13,600. The man was taken into custody and turned over to ICE HSI.

Just yesterday, a 60-year-old man attempted to enter the United States through a vehicle lane. The vehicle was referred for a secondary inspection. Subsequently, CBP officers discovered approximately 33 pounds of marijuana, with an estimated value of $16,500, concealed inside the spare tire. The man was taken into custody and turned over to ICE HSI.

Also yesterday, CBP officers prevented an illegal immigrant from entering the country. The 17-year-old Mexican citizen was referred for a secondary inspection after a CBP officer observed the U.S. Passport card photo did not resemble the juvenile. During further inspection, CBP officers confirmed the juvenile was not the person on the passport card. The juvenile was taken into custody turned over to the Mexican Consulate.

In March 2009, the Department of Homeland Security launched the Southwest Border Initiative to bring unprecedented focus and intensity to securing the Southwest border, coupled with a reinvigorated, smart, and effective approach to enforcing our immigration laws.

A criminal complaint is simply the method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The Office of Field Operations is responsible for securing our borders at the ports of entry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers’ primary mission is anti-terrorism; they screen all people, vehicles, and goods entering the United States, while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel into and out of the United States. Their mission also includes carrying out traditional border-related responsibilities, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration law, protecting the nation’s food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases, and enforcing trade laws.

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.