CBP seizes cocaine, nearly half a ton of marijuana

Two Mexican citizens were arrested after allegedly attempting to smuggle almost $750,000 worth of illegal drugs into the United States during two separate incidents recently at the San Luis Port of Entry.

The first incident happened Friday morning. According to a news release from Customs and Border Protection, CBP officers at the San Luis port of entry referred Ramiro Ramirez-Aguirre, 43, of San Luis Rio Colorado, Son., for a more thorough inspection of the tractor-trailer carrying a load of ceramic floor tiles that he was driving.

After an X-ray inspection and a CBP narcotics detection canine alert to the presence of drugs in the shipment, CBP officers located nearly 945 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $472,000. The drugs and tractor-trailer were seized.

The tile not used to conceal drugs was returned to the carrier. Ramirez was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.

The second incident happened Monday morning when 52-year-old Nestor Martinez-Noriega, of San Luis Rio Colorado, Son., was attempting to enter the US in a Dodge truck.

CBP agents became suspicious of Martinez-Noriega, and ordered him into a secondary inspection area where a working dog detected the possible presence of contraband in his vehicle. After searching the truck, agents allegedly found over 30 pounds of cocaine worth about $275,000.

The drugs and vehicle were seized. Martinez-Noriega was turned over to ICE agents.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854. Find him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.