CBP Officers Seize Nearly $257K in Narcotics

Nogales, Ariz. — Three individuals were arrested in separate smuggling attempts by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers during weekend inspections at the Dennis DeConcini Port.

Francisco Javier Silva Enriquez, 50, of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, was apprehended Sunday after CBP officers – aided by a narcotics detection canine – removed almost 12 pounds of cocaine and more than seven pounds of methamphetamine from the rocker panels of his Chrysler SUV. Combined, the drugs are valued at roughly $221,000.

Fernanda Lizeth Woo, 19, of Nogales, Ariz., was taken into custody Friday after she attempted to enter the United States through a pedestrian lane with more than a pound of methamphetamine hidden in her clothing. The drugs have an estimated value exceeding $18,000.

Jesus Antonio Maldonado Peiro, 20, of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico was arrested Friday after he also attempted to enter the United States through a pedestrian lane with $18,000 worth of methamphetamine hidden in his clothing.

The vehicle and drugs were seized in all three cases. Each subject was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.

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

CBP's Office of Field Operations 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.

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.