Amado, Arizona - Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents working at the immigration checkpoint on Interstate 19 near Amado found more than 15 pounds of methamphetamine in a Buick Rendezvous, driven by a 32-year-old Nogales, Arizona woman Tuesday.
A Border Patrol canine alerted to an odor it was trained to detect leading agents to 15 packages of methamphetamine, estimated at $45,000.
Agents arrested the woman for narcotics smuggling and turned her over to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The drugs and vehicle have been seized.
Federal law allows agents to charge individuals by complaint, a method that allows the filing of charges for criminal activity without inferring guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless and until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials welcome assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. Reporting illicit activity could result in saving someone’s life.