NOVEMBER 4, 2015
Border Report
Nogales CBP Officers Stop Meth Smugglers
Customs and Border Protection officers arrested three Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, residents allegedly involved in smuggling attempts at the Port of Nogales over the weekend, resulting in the seizure of more than 45 pounds of methamphetamine.
Officers at the Dennis DeConcini crossing referred Jorge Gutierrez-Medina, 35, and his passenger, 46-year-old Lucia Quintanilla-Najar, for further inspection Oct. 24. A CBP narcotics-detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs, amounting to just more than 43 pounds of methamphetamine worth more than $129,000.
A day earlier, after officers at the DeConcini pedestrian crossing referred Diana Guadalupe Cruz-Delgadillo, 21, for further inspection, a narcotics canine alerted to nearly two pounds of meth worth almost $6,000. The drugs were concealed in her undergarments.
CBP officers seized all drugs involved, and turned all suspects over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
Nogales CBP Officers Arrest Sex Offender
A Mexican national wanted on sexual molestation charges out of southern California was arrested Oct. 23 by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers assigned to the Port of Nogales.
Officers referred Gabriel Alcaraz, 54, for additional questioning when he attempted to enter the United States through a vehicle lane at the Mariposa crossing. Officers conducting a routine records check learned Alcaraz is wanted by Fontana, California, police on an outstanding arrest warrant for child molestation. After confirming the active warrant, he was turned over to the Santa Cruz County Sheriff’s Department.
BP agents seize nearly $400,000 in drugs, arrest 16 smugglers
Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents seized more than 650 pounds of drugs Oct. 21 and 22, worth an estimated $396,000, and arrested two U.S. citizens and 14 Mexican nationals.
Early Oct. 21, agents arrested two male U.S. citizens on I-10 near Ehrenberg and seized 14 pounds of methamphetamine worth an estimated $70,000.
That evening, agents arrested five male Mexican nationals south of Gila Bend who illegally crossed into the U.S. with 381 pounds of marijuana valued at $190,500.
On Oct. 22, agents arrested nine more male Mexican nationals near Camp Grip, a forward operating base. The men entered the U.S. illegally with 271 pounds of marijuana worth approximately $135,500.
All subjects and drugs were processed per Yuma Sector guidelines.
Border Patrol agents effectively combat smuggling organizations attempting to illegally transport people and contraband through southwestern Arizona and California. Citizens can help the Border Patrol and U.S. Customs and Border Protection by calling toll-free to report suspicious activity. Callers can remain anonymous.
