Border Patrol K9s Sniff Out 7lbs Cocaine, Meth, Pot, Leads to Arrest of 2 Drug-Smuggling Suspects

Illustration - Scott Eisen/Getty Images

U.S. Border Patrol agents in Southern Arizona, assisted by K9 sniffer dogs, have arrested suspected drug smugglers at two immigration checkpoints along the border.

The two suspects, both U.S. citizens according to a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) media release, were attempting to smuggle a large quantity of drugs across the border on the afternoon of Sept. 14. The dogs alerted their human counterparts to the presence of narcotics.

A canine responded to a vehicle at the immigration checkpoint near Tombstone, and Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents responded immediately. After commencing a secondary inspection, agents found almost 7 pounds (approx. 3 kg) of cocaine hidden within the vehicle’s engine.

The 25-year-old driver was arrested and later handed to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. At the time of writing, it is not known what charges the driver is facing.

Illustration - Rebekah Zemansky/Shutterstock

Hours later, Border Patrol agents at the Interstate 19 Immigration Checkpoint near Amado made another arrest. This time, a 20-year-old driver was apprehended after K9 sniffer dogs successfully detected the presence of illegal substances.

Agents inspected, and found marijuana, THC oil, and methamphetamines concealed inside the vehicle. The case was immediately referred to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, CBP reported.

Just over a week before the double arrest was made, a Border Patrol K9 in Southeast Maine uncovered 40 pounds (approx. 18 kg) of marijuana plants during a routine patrol on foot near the U.S.-Canada border on Sept. 5.

An unnamed U.S. Border Patrol agent became suspicious and called for backup, a CBP media release stated. A K9 unit arrived and conducted an “open-air sniff,” which led the patrol to the site of an illegal growing operation.

Border Patrol seized a haul of marijuana plants with an estimated street value of $135,000.

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