Marijuana Found in Produce Shipments, S. Arizona News
Federal officials say two loads of marijuana were recently discovered in shipments of produce coming into the U.S. through southern Arizona. According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection news release, the loads were discovered within a five-day period at the Mariposa Port of Entry at Nogales.
On March 23, a CBP officer noticed anomalies within a tractor-trailer containing a shipment of bell peppers. A narcotics detection dog alerted to the load and officers found 64 bales of marijuana weighing nearly 1,600 pounds and worth an estimated $700,000.
The driver, a 33-year-old Mexican male, was taken into custody and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation, officials said.
On March 28, a 36-year-old Mexican male driving a tractor-trailer applied for admission to enter the U.S. where an inspection again revealed anomalies within a cargo of watermelons. A narcotics detection canine positively alerted to the trailer.
The cargo was unloaded and officers found 244 bales of marijuana with an estimated value of $2.72 million.
The driver was taken into custody and faces federal charges.
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