Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents from the Nogales Station, working at the I-19 checkpoint March 9, arrested a female United States citizen for smuggling heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine while traveling with her young child.
Agents referred the vehicle for a secondary inspection based on a canine team alert. During the inspection, a canine tracked the source of the alert to the rear of the vehicle where agents found eight saran-wrapped packages.
Agents searched the woman and found two additional packages. Combined, agents seized more than 12 pounds of heroin, approximately 2.5 pounds of cocaine, and a little more than four pounds of methamphetamine. The drugs have a combined value exceeding $207,000.
The woman will be presented for prosecution on narcotic smuggling charges, in accordance with Tucson Sector guidelines. Agents turned the child over to Child Protection Services.