Yuma News Now

Nogales, Arizona - In 11 days, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Nogales ports of entry foiled 26 attempts to smuggle narcotics into the United States and prevented 73 immigration violators from entering the U.S. illegally.

Since May 1, officers at the DeConcini and Mariposa ports of entry seized 700 pounds of marijuana, 81 pounds of cocaine, and 34 pounds of methamphetamine for a total of 815 pounds of the illicit drugs. The combined estimated street value of the narcotics is $5.1 million. The attempts for smuggling the contraband ranged from body carrying to concealing the narcotics in vehicles.

In all the cases, the narcotics were seized and the violators were turned over to Immigration Customs Enforcement for further investigation.

There were also numerous violators arrested on suspicion of identity theft for attempting to enter the U.S. under false pretense.

It is important to note that 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.

While anti-terrorism is the primary mission of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the inspection process at the ports of entry associated with this mission results in impressive numbers of enforcement actions in all categories.