U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers referred the driver of a Ford van for further inspection when he attempted to enter through the Nogales cargo facility. After a CBP narcotics detection canine confirmed an officer’s suspicion, 44 packages of marijuana were removed from within the shipment of tortillas.
The subject and drugs, worth nearly $192,000, were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. The vehicle was seized.
On Wednesday a Tucson woman, Amy Renee Valdes, was arrested at the Port of Nogales for attempting to smuggle nearly 27 pounds of heroin into the United States.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers referred Valdes, age 36, for an additional inspection of her Chevrolet sedan at the Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry. After a CBP narcotics detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs behind the vehicle’s back seat, officers removed 18 packages of heroin worth close to $363,000.
The drugs and vehicle were processed for seizure. Valdes was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.