TUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, officers arrested 2 Mexican nationals and a U.S. citizen for separate alleged attempts to smuggle nearly $163,000 in unreported currency as well as a pair of tactical weapons through the Port of Nogales earlier this week.
Officers conducting outgoing operations at the Dennis DeConcini Crossing referred a 28-year-old Mexican national man for additional inspection of his Chevy SUV, as he attempted to enter Mexico through the port Monday afternoon. The search of the vehicle led to the discovery of several packages within the left quarter panel. The packages contained more than $142,000 in unreported U.S. currency.
Tuesday afternoon, officers conducting outbound operations at the Mariposa Crossing referred a 22-year-old Tucson woman for a further search of her Honda sedan, as she attempted to cross into Mexico through the port. Officers searched the subject, who had two bundles of unreported U.S. currency inside of her purse containing more than $20,000.
Earlier that morning, officers conducting outbound operations at the Mariposa Crossing referred a 27-year-old Mexican national man of Tucson, for an additional search of his Chrysler sedan, as he attempted to cross into Mexico through the port. The search led to the discovery of two AK-47 rifles and two empty 30-round magazines beneath the driver’s side floor mat.
Officers seized the currency, weapons and vehicles, while the subjects were arrested and then turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
