Agents seize $2.2 million in drugs at San Luis port of entry

FROM STAFF REPORTS

November 21, 2007 - 3:45PM

A 19-year-old resident of San Luis Rio Colorado, Son., is in custody after officers at the U.S. Port of Entry at San Luis, Ariz., caught him attempting to smuggle heroin and cocaine valued at $2.2 million into the United States on Tuesday, according to a news release from U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Elza, a drug sniffing dog assigned to the port, detected the odor of narcotics, prompting a vehicle search that yielded packages containing a total of 30 pounds of heroin and 40 pounds of cocaine, CBP said in a news release.

The incident unfolded after the man, whose name was not released, drove up to the port of entry in a 1996 Ford Explorer, the release said.

During the initial questioning and while screening his name in their systems, the officers suspected something was wrong and decided to search the vehicle, CBP said.

The narcotics and vehicle were seized and the driver was arrested and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement special agents for further investigation and prosecution.