CBP Officers Thwart Large Narcotics Smuggling Attempt at San Luis II Port

Cocaine seized from tractor trailer valued at more then $3.52 million

San Luis, Ariz. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers working at the San Luis II Commercial Port prevented a large narcotics smuggling attempt Saturday by seizing more than 387 pounds of cocaine hidden in a tractor trailer.

“This outstanding seizure is the result of the officer’s attention to detail and the utilization of available technology,” said Port Director William K. Brooks. “This is just another example of CBP’s dedication to keeping our country safe by preventing dangerous narcotics from entering.”

   

At about 1:45 p.m., a 37-year-old Mexican man from San Luis, Rio Colorado, Mexico, attempted to enter the United States through a San Luis Commercial Port truck lane and was referred for a secondary inspection. CBP officers observed an anomaly during an X-ray scan. A narcotics detection canine alerted to the trailer which lead to the discovery of 154 packages of cocaine. The narcotics, weighing more than 387 pounds with an estimated value of more than $3.52 million, along with the tractor trailer were seized. The owner, who later showed up, and the truck driver were taken into custody and turned over to ICE HSI for further investigation.

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.

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.