Yuma News Now

San Luis, Arizona - United States Customs and Border Protection officers at the San Luis port of entry intercept more than 100 pounds of marijuana and prevent illegal immigrants from entering the U.S. this weekend.

“Our officers are very good at maintaining on enforcement mode in order to uphold our mission responsibilities,” said Assistant Port Director Efrain Solis. “They also understand the importance of being an officer on America’s front line of defense.”

On Friday November 7, just after 5 p.m., a CBP officer was screening travelers entering the U.S. from Mexico. The officer referred the 21-year-old Mexican national man to the vehicle secondary lot for further inspection due to discrepancies which were observed in the 1995 Ford Expedition he was driving.

In the secondary lot the officers conducted an intensive inspection assisted by a narcotic detector dog. A total of 35 packages of marijuana with a weight of 123 pounds were in the gas tank of the vehicle. Both the marijuana and vehicle were seized.

The man was immediately arrested and turned over to the San Luis, Ariz., Police Department for further investigation.

The marijuana has an estimated street value of $200,000.00.

On the same date, just after 4 p.m., a 56-year-old Mexican national man applied for entry into the United States by presenting a U.S. passport. A CBP officer screening travelers entering the country from Mexico determined the man did not resemble the photo on the passport. The man was then secured and detained because he attempted to enter the country by misrepresenting himself as a United States citizen.

The Mexican national man had no valid Immigration document to enter, work or live in the United States. Therefore, the man was detained for immigration processing under the Immigration and Naturalization Act and returned to Mexico.

On the same date, approximately 30 minutes later, a 31-year-old Mexican national man applied for entry into the U.S. by presenting a California drivers license and verbally claiming to be a United States citizen. A CBP officer screening travelers entering the country from Mexico queried the man’s information and discovered he had been previously deported. The man was then secured and detained because he was found to be attempting re-entry after deportation by misrepresenting himself to be a United States citizen. The Mexican national man had no valid immigration document to enter, work or live in the United States. Therefore, the CBP officers determined the man was inadmissible under the Immigration and Naturalization Act and was taken into custody for immigration processing and possible prosecution.

On Saturday November 8, at approximately 7 p.m., a 40-year-old Mexican national woman applied for entry into the United States by presenting a border crossing card/laser visa (DSP-150) document. A CBP officer screening travelers entering the country from Mexico determined the woman did not resemble the photo on the Immigration document. The woman had no valid Immigration document to enter, work, or live in the United States. Apparently, the Mexican national woman had attempted to enter the U.S. through another port of entry just two days prior and had been returned to Mexico in a similar case. Therefore, the CBP officers’ determined her to be inadmissible for the second time under the Immigration and Naturalization Act. The woman was taken into custody for immigration processing and possible prosecution.