see also: in October 2008:   Mexican Military Makes Accidental Incursion into the U.S.   CBP Officers Apprehend Illegal Alien Hidden on Rail Car   Border Patrol Agents Make Several Drug Seizures Near Laredo   CBP Officers at the Calexico Downtown Port of Entry Intercept Cocaine Smuggling Attempt   CBP to Open Andrade Port of Entry Earlier During Agriculture Harvest Season   Layered Enforcement Snags U.S. Citizen, Foils 3 Smuggling Attempts   CBP Announces Online Method for Meeting SENTRI Vehicle Requirements ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Tucson, Ariz. - Customs and Border Protection officers working at the ports of entry along the Arizona/Sonora border were busy during the long weekend, stopping 12 drug smuggling attempts and seizing 963 pounds of marijuana and three pounds of heroin.

Officers at the port of entry in Douglas intercepted and stopped five marijuana-smuggling attempts on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Just before 2 p.m. on Friday, officers seized almost 78 pounds of marijuana and arrested a 31-year-old man from Agua Prieta after finding 25 packages of the illicit drug hidden inside a 1996 Ford Ranger.

At around 4 p.m. on Saturday, officers seized almost four pounds of marijuana and arrested a 29-year-old man from Agua Prieta after finding three packages hidden inside the backseat of a 1990 Dodge Caravan.

Just after 8:00 pm on Saturday, officers seized almost 261 pounds of marijuana and arrested a 19-year-old man from Douglas after finding marijuana hidden inside the gas tank and tires of the vehicle he was driving.

At around 9 p.m. on Saturday, officers seized more than 82 pounds of marijuana and arrested a 22-year-old woman from Bisbee after finding 59 packages of the illicit drug hidden in various areas of a 2001 Chevy Suburban she was driving.

At around 4:45 p.m. on Sunday, officers seized more than 147 pounds of marijuana and arrested a 40-year-old woman from Agua Prieta after finding the illicit drug hidden in various areas of a 1994 Ford Windstar she was driving.

Officers at the Naco port of entry seized more than 134 pounds of marijuana and arrested a 20-year-old man from Agua Prieta at around 7:30 pm on Sunday, after finding the drugs hidden in the tires of a 1989 Chevy Silverado.

Officers at the port of entry in Nogales stopped four marijuana-smuggling attempts on Saturday, Sunday, and Monday.

Just before 10 a.m. on Saturday, officers at the Dennis DeConcini port of entry seized more than 39 pounds of marijuana and arrested a 27-year-old woman from Nogales, Sonora after finding 14 packages of the drug hidden inside the rear seat of a 1984 Oldsmobile Cutlass she was driving.

Just after 7 p.m. on Saturday, officers at the Mariposa port of entry seized 31 pounds of marijuana and arrested a 41-year-old man from Nogales, Sonora after finding 31 packages of the drug hidden inside the gas tank of the vehicle he was driving.

At around 9:30 am on Sunday, officers at the Dennis DeConcini Port of Entry seized almost 76 pounds of marijuana and arrested a 24-year-old man from Obregon, Sonora after finding 31 packages of the drug hidden inside the gas tank of a 1998 Lincoln Navigator.

At 9 a.m. on Monday, officers at the Mariposa port of entry seized more than 41 pounds of marijuana and arrested a 21-year-old man from Nogales, Sonora after finding 24 packages of the drug hidden inside the gas tank of a 1997 Chevy Silverado.

Officers at the port of entry in San Luis stopped two drug-smuggling attempts, including an attempt to smuggle heroin into the country.

Just before 4 a.m. on Saturday, officers seized almost 70 pounds of marijuana and arrested a 27-year-old man from Yuma after finding 25 packages of the drug hidden inside a compartment built into the cab of a 1999 Dodge Dakota he was driving.

At around 4 p.m. on Monday, officers seized almost three pounds of heroin and arrested a 25-year-old man from San Luis, Ariz., after finding packages of the drug hidden inside his shoes.

All individuals arrested in connection with the failed smuggling attempts were arrested and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation.

Estimated street value of the seized drugs is in excess of $1.7 million.

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.