Man arrested for attempting to smuggle cocaine worth $435K

Agents at the Nogales station arrested a 53-year-old man after finding nearly 40 pounds of cocaine in his vehicle Sunday morning, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

During an immigration inspection at the Interstate 19 checkpoint, agents referred the man to secondary inspection after a canine alerted to his vehicle.

CBP said agents discovered 16 packages of cocaine hidden within the rear quarter panels and drivers-side back door.

The cocaine weighed nearly 40 pounds and had an estimated worth of $435,000.

The man was arrested for drug smuggling and the vehicle along with the narcotics was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.