Southern Arizona man indicted for smuggling over 150 pounds of methamphetamine across the US-Mexico border following ICE HSI investigation

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Yesterday, a federal grand jury in Phoenix returned a four-count indictment against a southern Arizona man for smuggling over 150 pounds of methamphetamine across the U.S. – Mexico border. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) Yuma office is investigating this case assisted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Cesar Alberto Palomares, 23, of Somerton, Arizona, is being accused of four violations of United States law related to Palomares’ importation and intended distribution of methamphetamine.

On Jan. 27, Palomares is alleged to have entered the United States through San Luis, Arizona. At the port of entry, CBP officers discovered over a hundred packages containing a white crystal-like substance that were hidden in Palomares’ car. The substance tested positive for methamphetamine and the combined weight of the packages was over 150 pounds.

An indictment is simply a method by which a person is charged with criminal activity and raises no inference of guilt. An individual is presumed innocent until evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

The United States Attorney’s Office, District of Arizona, Phoenix, is handling the prosecution.

HSI is a directorate of ICE and the principal investigative arm of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responsible for investigating transnational crime and threats, specifically those criminal organizations that exploit the global infrastructure through which international trade, travel and finance move.

HSI’s workforce of over 10,400 employees consists of more than 7,100 special agents assigned to 220 cities throughout the United States, and 80 overseas locations in 53 countries. HSI’s international presence represents DHS’ largest investigative law enforcement presence abroad and one of the largest international footprints in U.S. law enforcement.

Learn more about how HSI Phoenix combats narcotics @HSIPhoenix.