CBP foils fentanyl, meth smuggling attempts at border
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrested two individuals in separate drug smuggling attempts last week, while Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents apprehended a Guatemalan man previously convicted of child sex crimes after he illegally entered the country near Yuma on Saturday.
On Wednesday, CBP officers assigned to the San Luis port of entry referred a 44-year-old Mexican national for additional questioning as she attempted to enter the U.S. driving a Nissan sedan, after a CBP narcotics detection canine alerted to a scent it was trained to detect coming from her vehicle
When officers searched her vehicle they found packages hidden throughout her vehicle, which were later identified as nearly 102 pounds of methamphetamine, having a street value of more than $305,000.
Then on Thursday evening, a 24-year-old man was referred for additional inspection as he attempted to enter the U.S. driving a Nissan. Officers found the man to have approximately eight pounds of fentanyl taped around his torso and calves. The drugs have an estimated street value of more than $107,000.
CBP Officers seized the drugs and the vehicles, while both subjects were arrested and then turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
According to agent Jose Garibay, of the Yuma Sector Public Affairs Office, the Guatemalan man was arrested at 8:45 a.m. near the North River RV Park, which is off of Strand Avenue.
The Guatemalan man, whose conviction for child sex crimes was in the U.S. was arrested and is being processed for immigration violations.