Tucson, Ariz. — The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Arizona Joint Field Command is reporting the seizure of more than 21,580 pounds of narcotics, with an estimated value of more than $11.9 million, and the apprehension of 2,220 illegal immigrants and 87 inadmissible immigrants at the Arizona border Oct. 10-16.
On Oct. 15, CBP officers screening commercial vehicles and shipments coming into the country targeted a tractor-trailer with a shipment of charcoal for inspection. The tractor-trailer was referred for an X-ray examination and physical inspection of the shipment. During the inspection, officers discovered 198 bundles of marijuana hidden inside the sacks of charcoal. The narcotics weighing more than 2,632 pounds, with an estimated value of more than 1.3 million dollars, was seized along with the vehicle. The driver, a 56- year old male from Nogales, Sonora was arrested and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation.
Narcotics seizures consisted of more than 21,500 pounds of marijuana, 27.9 pounds of cocaine, 36 pounds of methamphetamines and 22.9 pounds of heroin. CBP also intercepted eight weapons, 1,130 rounds of ammunition, $140,000 in illegal outbound currency and 63 vehicles used for illicit purposes.
Field Operations Weekly Highlight
On Oct. 15, CBP officers screening commercial vehicles and shipments coming into the country targeted a tractor-trailer with a shipment of charcoal for inspection. The tractor-trailer was referred for an X-ray examination and physical inspection of the shipment. During the inspection, officers discovered 198 bundles of marijuana hidden inside the sacks of charcoal. The narcotics weighing more than 2,632 pounds, with an estimated value of more than 1.3 million dollars, was seized along with the vehicle. The driver, a 56- year old male from Nogales, Sonora was arrested and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation.
Border Patrol Weekly Highlight
On Oct. 15, Ajo Station agents arrested a U.S. citizen and four illegal immigrants in possession of one AK-47 assault rifle, one fully loaded 30-round magazine, a solar panel, and several radios and cell phones. Smugglers often use solar panels to power their communication devices in remote areas of the border. The subjects were apprehended after agents stopped their vehicle south of the Border Patrol checkpoint on State Road 85. The subjects were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations, along with the weapon, ammunition and other items seized.
Since launching the Southwest Border Initiative in March, 2009, the Department of Homeland Security, under Sec. Janet Napolitano, has engaged in an unprecedented effort to bring focus and intensity to Southwest border security; coupled with a reinvigorated, smart and effective approach to enforcing immigration laws in the interior of our country.
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.
