US Customs and Border Protection Press Release April 21, 2011

tamale pot

Smuggled Marijuana in Tamale Pot Foiled at I-19 Checkpoint
Border Patrol Vigilance, Technology lead to discovery of Narcotics

TUCSON, Ariz. – Nogales Border Patrol agents assigned to the I-19 Checkpoint thwarted a marijuana smuggling attempt yesterday in which smugglers stashed 27.4 pounds of marijuana in two large pots under dozens of cooked tamales. Agents seized the marijuana with an estimated value of $13,700.

Agents working at the checkpoint encountered a shuttle van at the primary inspections area and referred it for a secondary inspection after observing suspicious behavior.

During the secondary inspection, agents observed two large pots of tamales in the back of the van. Agents detected anomalies within the pots using non-intrusive inspection technology. Subsequently, agents discovered four bundles of hidden marijuana. The narcotics were seized and the owner of the tamales was arrested and faces federal drug smuggling charges.

As U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) increases security along the border and closes the routes of egress from the border, smugglers look to new and unconventional smuggling methods to transport their contraband into the United States. Border Patrol agents stand ready to respond to these unconventional methods. Checkpoints are part of the Border Patrol’s defense-in-depth strategy and reinforce the efforts of agents patrolling the border by helping to curb the flow of illegal drugs intended for distribution in our communities.

In March 2009, the Department of Homeland Security launched the Southwest Border Initiative to bring unprecedented focus and intensity to securing the Southwest border, coupled with a reinvigorated, smart, and effective approach to enforcing our immigration laws.

Members of the community are a vital source of information for the Border Patrol. Report suspicious activity by calling toll free 1-877-872-7435. All calls will be answered and callers will remain anonymous.
~CBP~

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws. To report suspicious activity and remain anonymous, please call our toll free number at 1-877-872-7435.

This entry was posted on Thursday, April 21st, 2011 at 4:35 pm and is filed under border issues, border patrol, border patrol tucson sector, drug smuggling, politics. Tags for this post: border patrol, border patrol tucsn sector, I 19 checkpoint, tamale pot, tucson sector border patrol. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.