CBP seized 144 pounds of drugs over the weekend in San Luis and Nogales

SAN LUIS, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY)-Five men and two women are arrested in connected and separate attempts in smuggling more than 144 pounds of methamphetamine and fentanyl through the Ports of Entry in San Luis and Nogales.

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) says last Friday, a 21-year-old man was sent to secondary in San Luis Port of Entry after a canine alerted to his Chevy Sedan. A search of the vehicle led officers to find 20 packages hidden in the front bumper. The drugs were determined to be approximately 47 pounds of meth, worth more than $47,300.

That evening, a 17-year-old young man was sent to secondary for an additional search of his Jeep after a canine alerted to his vehicle. After searching the vehicle, officers found more than 40 pounds of meth in the vehicle’s quarter panels. The drugs have an estimated street value of more than $40,000.

That same day, a 27-year-old man was selected for additional inspection through the pedestrian lane. A positive alert by a canine led to the removal of two packages of fentanyl pills from his pants. The packages contained nearly three pounds of meth, worth more than $2,500.

On Saturday, a 16-year-old was found with a package of meth taped around his buttocks. The drugs weighed more than .50 pound with a street value of more than $500. 

On Sunday, a woman was discovered with .13 pounds of fentanyl pills concealed on and inside her. One package was located in her groin area, second package was found in her bra, and the third package in her clothing. The drugs have a street value of $3,250.

On Sunday, Nogales CBP officers sent a 28-year-old woman to secondary as she attempted to enter the U.S. through the DeConcini pedestrian crossing.  The search led officers to the discovery of a package of fentanyl pills inside her groin area. The drugs have an estimated street value of $5,850.

On Monday, Port of Nogales officers sent a 42-year-old man for further inspection of his Lincoln SUV. After a canine alerted to his vehicle, officers located more than 45 packages of drugs inside of the vehicle’s gas tank. The drugs, nearly 53 pounds of methamphetamine have a street value of approximately $52,750.

Officers seized the drugs and vehicles, while the subjects were arrested and then turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.