San Luis, Ariz. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers arrest three subjects for attempting to smuggle 206 pounds of marijuana into the United States.

These seizures are a result of the outstanding team work by the officers, said Port Director William K. Brooks.

Early Saturday morning, August 9, a 49-year-old Mexican man, driving a 1995 Ford Windstar van, was waiting his turn to apply for entry into the United States when a CBP officer screening travelers entering the United States referred the driver to the vehicle secondary lot for further inspection based on the primary inspection and interview.

In the vehicle secondary lot, the van was thoroughly inspected by the officers utilizing a narcotic detector dog, who alerted to narcotics odor coming from the van. The inspection resulted in the discovery of 66 packages of marijuana hidden within the seats of the vehicle. Approximately 155 pounds was seized.

The man was immediately arrested and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation and prosecution.

On August 12, a driver and passenger (two women from Mexico) applied for entry into the United States driving a 2001 Chevy Impala. A CBP officer screening the travelers referred them to the vehicle secondary lot for further inspection due to some inconsistencies with the vehicle discovered during a brief examination of the car. While in the inspection lot, CBP officers thoroughly inspected the vehicle and again used a narcotic detector dog, which alerted to the vehicle. A total of 40 packages of marijuana were discovered within the dash. A total of approximately 51 pounds was removed and seized.

The two women were immediately arrested and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation and prosecution.

The total estimated street value of the combined marijuana is approximately $330,000.

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.

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