Check your imported steel rolls

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection found 600 bundles of marijuana hidden in sheet metal steel rolls at the Port of Nogales.

Last weekend, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations, officers at the Port of Nogales stopped nearly 600 bundles of marijuana from entering the country. The find, valued at $2.1 million, was concealed in a shipment of flat rolled sheet metal on a tractor trailer and was discovered by a CBP narcotics detection canine.

Officers referred a tractor trailer being driven by a 45-year-old Mexican national when he attempted to enter the United States through the Mariposa commercial facility, Saturday afternoon.

Officers seized the tractor trailer and the drugs. The driver was arrested and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations pending further investigation.

Although the odds of finding narcotics in your rolls of sheet metal are slim, especially if you are buying from American steel producers, it couldn't hurt to give your inventory an extra look every now and again. You never know what you'll find.

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Emell Derra Adolphus has more than a decade of writing and journalism experience. He is senior editor of ENR’s Top Lists and Survey Rankings at ENR magazine and frequently contributes stories on technology, climate resiliency, diversity, equity and inclusion.