Summary of Nogales Drug Bust Data from August 2016
Customs and Border Protection officials discovered nearly 28 pounds of meth hidden in this gas tank. Source: U.S. Customs and Border Protection
September 2, 2016
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) media releases, there were 16 drug busts made at Nogales Ports of Entry in August of 2016, with a total of more than $2.2 million in heroin, cocaine, methamphetamine and marijuana seized.
Ports Affected
Of the 16 apprehensions, 11 involved attempted smuggling of hard drugs in a vehicle and the other five were at pedestrian crossings. Five arrests were made at the DeConcini Port of Entry, four at the Mariposa Port of Entry and three at the Morley gate in downtown Nogales. No port information was provided for the other four interdictions.
Arrestee Demographics
Three of the alleged smugglers were American citizens, from Tucson, Rio Rico and Nogales, Sonora. The other 13 were Mexican nationals from the Sonoran cities of Nogales, Agua Prieta, Santa Ana, Magdalena and Hermosillo.
Seven of the alleged smugglers were men, and nine were women. The average age of August arrestees was 32 years old. The youngest was 16 and the oldest 62.
Drug Totals
The breakdown of drug types and estimated values is:
- Methamphetamine – 12 seizures totaling 395 pounds, with an estimated value of $1,196,800
- Cocaine – Four seizures of 70 pounds with a value of $795,000
- Heroin – Four seizures of nine pounds with a value of $176,000 (one of the seizures involved the ingestion of an unspecified amount of heroin, less than two pounds, and not included in the total)
- Marijuana – Two seizures of 66 pounds with an estimated value of $33,600
Notes:
The number of busts listed by drug is greater than 16 because some of the arrests involved more than one type of illegal drugs.
Quantities and values are based on reported numbers, which were qualified by phrases like “nearly” or “more than” rather than reporting specific amounts. Therefore, these numbers may have some slight variation with the specific qualities and dollar values.