Marijuana discovered in drive shaft at Douglas Port

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers stopped a unique drug smuggling attempt when they seized nearly 11 pounds of marijuana concealed inside the drive shaft of a Ford Focus.

On Sunday, July 18 at about 9 a. m., CBP officers were screening traffic coming from Mexico. The officers selected a 2001 Ford Focus for inspection. The vehicle was being driven by a 29-year-old man from Agua Prieta, Sonora, Mexico. With the assistance of an Elite Narcotics Detection K-9 team the CBP officers discovered that the drive shaft of the vehicle was emitting a narcotic odor. The officers investigated closer and found that the drive line was loaded with packages of marijuana.

The total weight of marijuana was 11 pounds with an estimated street value of $16,000.

CBP officers seized the vehicle and the marijuana. The man was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation and prosecution.

Mexican national with sexual assault warrant arrested

U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers apprehended a Mexican national, July 21, wanted for sexual assault on a minor.

CBP officers were screening travelers entering the U.S. through the Douglas Port of Entry when Carlos Beltran-Franco, 29, presented himself for entry. Officers discovered that Beltran-Franco was wanted by the Maricopa County Superior Court for sexual assault on a minor.

CBP officers arrested the resident of Magdalena, Sonora, Mexico and turned him over to the Douglas Police Department pending extradition to the Maricopa County Sherriff’s department.