$2.5 Million Methamphetamine Seized at Naco Port of Entry

$1.3 Million in Cocaine at Nogales Port of Entry NACO, Ariz - Gotcha, a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Narcotics Detection Dog at the Naco Port of Entry, lived up to her name yesterday morning when she sniffed out more than 35 pounds of methamphetamines being smuggled into the U.S. CBP Officers screening vehicles entering the country selected a Ford Ecosport for inspection during routine questioning of the driver, a 23-year-old man from Sonora. During an intensive inspection of the vehicle, Gotcha was used to help screen the vehicle for narcotics. When the officers saw Gotcha alert to the odor of narcotics coming from the vehicle, they searched further and found a compartment built into the dashboard of the vehicle. Officers then opened the compartment and found 30 packages of methamphetamines hidden inside. The driver was arrested and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. Local street value of the methamphetamines is estimated at $2.4 million. CBP Officers working at the Nogales port of entry yesterday afternoon arrested five people in connection with a failed attempt to smuggle $1.3 million of cocaine into the U.S. by hiding packages under their clothing. An officer asking questions of the driver of a 1995 GMC Jimmy became suspicious of the actions of the driver and his passengers and decided to search both the vehicle and people. While performing the search of the driver, the officer discovered packages of cocaine hidden under the drivers clothing, prompting a search of the passengers. Each of the passengers were found to have packages of cocaine hidden under their clothing as well. The driver and passengers, all from Sonora, were arrested and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The Office of Field Operations is responsible for operations at the ports of entry. U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers primary mission is anti-terrorism; they screen all people, vehicles, and goods entering the United States, while facilitating the flow of legitimate trade and travel into and out of the United States. Their mission also includes carrying out traditional border-related responsibilities, including narcotics interdiction, enforcing immigration law, and protecting the nations food supply and agriculture industry from pests and diseases.