75-year-old woman accused of smuggling heroin through Tornillo port of entry

A 75-year-old woman was arrested Monday for allegedly smuggling nearly 17 pounds of heroin into the United States from Mexico through the Tornillo port of entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials announced Tuesday.

Shortly after 1 p.m. Monday, a 2008 Ford Escape sports-utility vehicle was being driven by a 75-year-old woman, who was a U.S. citizen. The woman, who has not been identified, was entering the port of entry from neighboring Mexico and was selected for a secondary examination.

CBP officers used a non-intrusive x-ray system and located suspicious bundles in the center console. Additional bundles were found in her purse.

The contents of the seven packages tested positive for heroin.

“This is not the first time we have stopped a senior smuggler and it probably won’t be the last,” said Donna Sifford, CBP port director at the Marcelino Serna port of entry in Fabens.

“Smugglers will try just about anything, and this case is another example of why CBP must remain vigilant at all times,” Sifford said.

The woman is facing charges associated with the failed smuggling attempt. The combined weight of the heroin was 16.75 pounds.