Mesa couple arrested at border in pot seizure
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LUKEVILLE, Ariz. -- A Mesa couple has been arrested and charged with trying to smuggle more than 431 pounds of marijuana into southern Arizona through the Lukeville port.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers referred Mario Madrid Hernandez, 48, and Dana Kimberly Oviatt, 44, for secondary inspection of their recreational vehicle when they applied for entry at the border.
Authorities said a search of the vehicle revealed 75 packages of marijuana hidden behind compartments in the camper's bathroom and rear wall.
They estimate the value of the drugs at $216,000.
CBP officials said the marijuana and vehicle were processed for seizure. Hernandez and Oviatt were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations.
Authorities didn't immediately know Monday if either Hernandez or Oviatt had a lawyer yet.
