Authorities in Arizona have seized more than $600,000 worth of methamphetamine, thwarting two separate smuggling attempts in the same night.
In the first instance, a 24-year-old woman was arrested after she was stopped at the Port of San Luis with more than 110 pounds of the drug hidden in her car on Saturday (May 26).
According to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), officers searched her Ford SUV after a narcotics detection canine was alerted to a suspicious smell coming from vehicle's doors and rocker panels.
Following a search, more than 100 packages of meth were found hidden in the vehicle, including bags stuffed inside a spare tire. The CBP estimates the seized drugs have a street value of more than $334,000.
After the vehicle was seized, the 24-year-old suspect was arrested and then turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations.
The same evening, Border Patrol agents at the I-19 Immigration Checkpoint near Tubac arrested a 33-year-old woman from Phoenix for attempting smuggle more than 100 pounds of meth in her car.
The suspect was referred for a second inspection after a canine alerted authorities to a suspicious odor coming from her 2016 Nissan Altima.
During the search, 80 bags of meth were found hidden inside the car doors. Officials estimate the 98 pounds of meth had an estimated street value of $294,000.
The woman was arrested on suspicion of drug trafficking and her vehicle was seized.
"U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials welcome assistance from the community," a spokesperson said. "Individuals can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. Reporting illicit activity could result in saving someone's life."
The CBP noted that the seizure of the drugs at the checkpoint near Tubac arrived just 24 hours after Border Patrol agents seized around 317 pounds of meth being smuggled in an ultralight aircraft.
Earlier this month, agents were able to seize nearly 1000 pounds of meth from a trailer thought to be carrying a commercial shipment of fresh carrots.
The haul recovered at the Pharr-Reynosa International Bridge cargo facility on May 17 was estimated to be worth around $18.5 million.
"This is truly a huge, notable interception of hard narcotics accomplished by our frontline officers in the cargo environment," said Port Director Sylvia Briones, Port of Hidalgo/ Pharr/ Anzalduas. "Our officers' mindset and dedication is genuinely apparent as evidenced by this outstanding seizure."
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