Three women have been arrested and charged with trying to smuggle almost 28 pounds of cocaine from Mexico into the United States on Tuesday, May 6. The women ranged in age from 21 to 70 years, and are all Mexican citizens from Nogales, Sonora.

Shortly after 1 p.m., a 21-year old woman driving a Volkswagen Beetle attempted to enter the country through the Nogales port of entry. There were two female passengers with her, age 46 and 70. During questioning, CBP officers became suspicious of the women’s behavior and sent them for further questioning.

When nothing was found in the vehicle, the three women were searched and investigators found over 10 pounds of cocaine each hidden on the body and in the purse of both the driver and the 46-year old passenger, and nearly 8 pounds of the drug hidden in the 70-year old’s purse.

“By using people of different ages and blending in with normal traffic, smugglers hope to reduce any suspicions our officers might have,” said Port Director James Tong, “but we don’t rely simply on a person’s age or appearance when determining whether to search or not.”

The cocaine has an estimated street value of more than $460,000. The suspects were turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.