Three Mexican nationals and a Somerton, Arizona man are in custody in connection with separate failed attempts to smuggle $1.85 million in meth and cocaine into the United States through the Port of San Luis this weekend.
A local 19-year-old man was arrested today for attempting to smuggle more than 250 pounds of marijuana through the Port of Douglas. A total of 31 bundles of marijuana were seized by CBP officers assigned to the Port of Douglas, Ariz.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrested the U.S. citizen after a CBP narcotics detection canine alerted officers to 37 packages of marijuana in the engine compartment and behind the seats of his Chevrolet truck. The drugs, valued at nearly $127,000, and vehicle were processed for seizure. The man was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
Customs and Border Protection officers referred Gila Del Carmen Garcia-Figueroa, 38, of San Luis, Rio Colorado, Sonora, Mexico, for inspection of her Ford SUV when she attempted to enter the U.S. Friday. After a CBP narcotics detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs inside the vehicle’s spare tire, officers removed nearly 15 pounds of cocaine valued at more than $133,000.
Saturday morning, officers referred Jose Venegas-Alatorre, 28, of San Luis, Rio Colorado, Sonora, Mexico, for inspection of his Honda sedan when he attempted to cross the U.S. border. After a narcotics detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs inside the rear seats, officers removed nearly 21 pounds of methamphetamine valued at more than $322,000.
A short time later, Ivan de Jesus Ortiz-Rivas, 30, of San Luis, Rio Colorado, Sonora, Mexico, was referred for inspection of his Chevrolet SUV when he attempted to enter the U.S. After a narcotics detection canine alerted the fuel tank, officers removed more than 68 pounds of methamphetamine valued at more than $1.06 million.
Just after midnight Sunday, Jose Andres Godinez, 20, of Somerton, Arizona, was arrested after a CBP canine alerted to the fuel tank of his Honda sedan, where officers located and removed nearly 22 pounds of methamphetamine valued at nearly $336,000.
“Hard narcotics such as these are a constant threat to our communities,” said San Luis Port Director William K. Brooks. “These seizures are a testament of our officers unwavering determination of protecting our country.”
The drugs and vehicles were seized. The four subjects were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.