Marijuana loads found in produce shipments in S. Arizona

NOGALES, AZ - Federal officials say two loads of marijuana were recently discovered in shipments of produce coming into the U.S. through southern Arizona.

According to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection news release, the loads were discovered within a five-day period at the Mariposa Port of Entry at Nogales.

On March 23, a CBP officer noticed anomalies within a tractor-trailer containing a shipment of bell peppers. A narcotics detection dog alerted to the load and officers found 64 bales of marijuana weighing nearly 1,600 pounds and worth an estimated $700,000.

The driver, a 33-year-old Mexican male, was taken into custody and turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations for further investigation, officials said.

On March 28, a 36-year-old Mexican male driving a tractor-trailer applied for admission to enter the U.S. where an inspection again revealed anomalies within a cargo of watermelons. A narcotics detection canine positively alerted to the trailer.

The cargo was unloaded and officers found 244 bales of marijuana with an estimated value of $2.72 million.

The driver was taken into custody and faces federal charges.