Smuggling efforts include people and drugs
Big Idea
- Smuggling efforts to bring in illegal immigrants and drugs continue
- November numbers are higher than October numbers
- One enterprising smuggler attempted to get illegal immigrants in via a hearse
- Another attempted to hide over 3200 pounds of drugs amongst auto parts
- Read more…
Smuggling at the Border continues despite CBP efforts
Observant Agents Seize Hearse Attempting to Smuggle 6 Migrants
TUCSON, Ariz –Tucson Border Patrol agents observed an out of the ordinary vehicle near the border and arrested two United States citizen accused of transporting six undocumented individuals Thursday afternoon.
At approximately 11:00 p.m., agents operating the Tucson Sector camera system observed a vehicle acting suspiciously in an area known for human and drug smuggling approximately one mile north of the border near Sasabe, Arizona.
An agent on patrol encountered and believing the vehicle was involved in smuggling, stopped the vehicle approximately four miles north of the border on State Route 286. Upon approaching the vehicle, the agent observed individuals in camouflage clothing lying in the back.
The driver and front seat passenger were placed under arrest for human smuggling and six migrants admitted to being in the United States illegally.
The hearse was seized per Tucson Sector guidelines.
CBP Port of Nogales Officers Encounter Drugs Within Load of Auto Parts
TUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, Port of Nogales officers arrested a Mexican national this week in connection to a record seizure of methamphetamine by CBP officers in Arizona.
Wednesday afternoon, officers at the Mariposa Commercial Facility referred a 21-year-old Mexican male for additional inspection of the tractor trailer as he attempted to enter the U.S. A non-intrusive inspection of the contents resulted in a positive alert by a CBP narcotics detection canine to a scent it is trained to detect. A physical search of the shipment of commercial auto parts led to the discovery of more than 470 packages of methamphetamine hidden within the truck. The drugs were determined to weigh nearly 3280 pounds.
Officers seized the drugs and vehicle, while the subject was arrested and then turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
Guadalupe Ramirez, Director, Field Operations, commended the Port of Nogales for this record-breaking drug seizure.
“While CBP Officers facilitate legitimate trade and travel, they remain focused on our highest priorities which includes stopping the flow of hard narcotics such as methamphetamine and opioids from entering our country.” He concluded, “Our officers prevented these dangerous drugs from causing devastation to families and ultimately saving many lives, not only in our community but throughout the United States.”
Federal law allows officers 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.
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 and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.
Border Enforcement Numbers for November show increase compared to October
Information from: https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-releases-november-2021-monthly-operational-update
