TUCSON, Ariz. – Customs and Border Protection officers arrested two men Tuesday (Dec. 8) allegedly involved in separate smuggling attempts at the Port of Nogales involving nearly 53 pounds of cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine.
Officers at the Dennis DeConcini crossing referred Francisco Nevares-Huerta, 73, a Mexican national and legal permanent-resident of Nogales, Arizona, for further inspection of his Nissan sedan. After a CBP narcotics-detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs, officers located more than 25 pounds of meth (worth in excess of $76,000) in the vehicle.
Later, officers at the same crossing referred Jose Humberto Villa, 19, of Rio Rico, Arizona, for a secondary inspection of his Dodge sedan. During the inspection, officers found 13-plus pounds of cocaine, valued in excess of $139,000; more than 12 pounds of meth worth above $36,000; and slightly more than two pounds of heroin worth an estimated $32,000.