CBP officers at the Dennis DeConcini Port seized more than 14 pounds of cocaine, nearly 24 pounds of methamphetamine and almost one-half pound of heroin last Tuesday in connection with failed smuggling attempts.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers referred Marlene Esparza, 28, of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico and her two U.S. citizen children for additional inspection as they attempted to enter the United States. After a CBP narcotics detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs in her GMC truck, officers removed almost 16 pounds of methamphetamine and almost three pounds of cocaine from the vehicle’s radiator. Combined, the drugs are valued at roughly $264,000.
Several hours later, officers referred Jessica Castellon Romero, 21, of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico for additional inspection of her Dodge van when she attempted to enter the United States. After a CBP service canine alerted to the presence of drugs, officers removed almost one-half pound of heroin, nearly 12 pounds of cocaine and more than eight pounds of methamphetamine from the vehicle’s heater core. The drugs have a combined value of $240,000.
Both vehicles and all drugs were seized. Esparza and Castellon Romero were arrested and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations. Esparza’s children were turned over to her sister without further incident.