see also: in April 2008:   U. S. Customs and Border Protection Seizes $1.3 Million Worth of Counterfeit Cigarettes   Border Patrol Launches Rhode Island Search   Border Patrol Agent Search Launches in Atlanta   Two Weeks = Two Tons of Marijuana Seized at Arizona Port of Entry   CBP Officers in Texas Find $3 Million Worth of Dope in 'Empty' Sea Container   New Jersey CBP Officers Make $4 Million Heroin Candy Bar Bust   Border Patrol Agents Locate More Than Half Ton of Marijuana ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

San Luis, Ariz. – Narcotics interdiction continues to be a high priority at the San Luis port of entry, demonstrated by their arrest of a 26-year-old man this weekend in connection with a failed attempt at smuggling close to $1 million worth of methamphetamines into the United States.

“Our officers’ ability to single out those who are breaking the law is crucial to our mission,” said Port Director William Brooks, “and this is another fine example of what they do every day.”

At around midnight on April 25th, a 26-year-old United States Citizen attempted to enter the country at the port of entry while driving a Ford Windstar. A CBP officer screening travelers entering the United States became suspicious of the driver due to his demeanor and discrepancies found in the vehicle and referred the driver to the inspection lot for further examination.

While in the vehicle secondary inspection area, CBP officers utilized a narcotic detector dog and conducted a thorough examination, resulting in the discovery of 30 packages of methamphetamine hidden inside the vehicle. The packages, totaling approximately 35 pounds, were seized along with the vehicle.

The narcotics have an estimated street value of $1,000,000.00.

The man was immediately arrested and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation and possible prosecution.

Seizures of hard narcotics continue to rise for CBP at the port of entry since February. Today’s seizure brings the total for April to more than 61 pounds of methamphetamine with a street value in excess of $3,500,000.00, compared to February with no hard narcotic seizures. The combined statistics for the months of March and April also reveal a total of 73.35 kilograms of cocaine, with an approximate street value of $3,000,000.00.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.