Marijuana, heroin seized
Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents seized 53 pounds of marijuana last week, while Customs and Border Protection officers at the San Luis port of entry apprehended a man allegedly trying to smuggle more than 2.5 pounds of heroin into the U.S.
According to the Yuma Sector Public Affairs Office, on Sunday agents patrolling east of Highway 85 discovered footprints leading to a wash, where they found two abandoned burlap backpacks. Agents searched the immediate area but did not find any more backpacks or the smugglers who may have carried them. The backpacks contained an estimated $26,500 worth of marijuana.
On Thursday, a 19-year-old Mexican man was apprehended for allegedly attempting to smuggle more than 2.5 pounds of heroin into the country through the U.S. Port of Entry at San Luis, Ariz.
CBP officers referred Luis Humberto Hernandez-Romero for additional inspection of his Nissan sedan. After a CBP narcotics detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs inside of the vehicle, officers found nearly $36,000 worth of heroin inside of Hernandez's sneakers.
The drugs and vehicle were seized. Hernandez was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations.
Yuma County residents can help the Border Patrol and U.S. Customs and Border Protection by calling 1-866-999-8727 toll-free to report suspicious activity. Callers can remain anonymous.
James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.
