Yuma man accused of smuggling drugs and leading law enforcement on high-speed chase
Thomas Howard behind bars facing multiple criminal charges
YUMA, Ariz. (KYMA, KECY) - A Yuma man is behind bars facing a number of criminal charges. Yuma County Sheriff's deputies say he tried to outrun law enforcement after trying to smuggle a load of methamphetamine across the border.
Deputies say the trouble started just before seven Saturday morning at the San Luis Port of Entry. They say 50-year-old Thomas A. Howard sped away from the port after Customs and Border Protection (CBP) ordered him into secondary inspection.
Deputies say Howard almost hit a CBP officer while making his escape from the port. They say he raced down Main Street in San Luis, and hit a pedestrian and slammed into a light pole, before taking off on foot.
Deputies say witnesses to the crash gave chase, captured Howard, and then held him until the Yuma County Narcotics Task Force arrived to take him into custody.
In the meantime, CBP brought a drug dog to help inspect Howard's truck. Deputies say that K-9 found 55 packets of methamphetamine hidden in his truck's spare tire. They say they found more meth inside the vehicle. They say the drugs had a combined weight of more than 50-pounds with an estimated street value of $52,000.
Howard is now in the Yuma County Jail facing charges multiple charges including:
- Transportation of a dangerous drug
- Possession of a dangerous drug for sale
- Possession of a dangerous drug
- Possession of drug paraphernalia
- Tampering with evidence
- Aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
San Luis Police responded to the accident scene. Initially they had reports of multiple injuries, but arrived to find only one pedestrian hurt. Officers say the truck ran over the that person's foot. Their injuries were not serious.
