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  4. Border Patrol Agents Arrest 17 Smugglers, 15 Imposters and Seize Nearly 500 Pounds of Marijuana

Border Patrol Agents Arrest 17 Smugglers, 15 Imposters and Seize Nearly 500 Pounds of Marijuana

Release Date
Mon, 10/05/2015

YUMA, Ariz.–Actions by agents in separate incidents during the weekend resulted in the arrest of 15 imposters, 17 smugglers and the seizure of nearly 500 pounds of marijuana in Wellton.

Fifteen individuals posing as legal residents were arrested at the Wellton Station checkpoint on Interstate 8, east of Yuma, in separate incidents Oct. 2 and 3. All were Mexican nationals, and each presented valid, but falsely acquired, immigration documents during a secondary inspection of a commercial conveyance. Members of the group falsely claimed U.S. citizenship by presenting U.S. passports and lawfully-admitted permanent resident cards belonging to individuals other than themselves. It is unknown if any of the documents were reported stolen.

Agents arrested 17 Mexican nationals during separate smuggling incidents near Sentinel, Arizona, Oct. 2 and 3. Agents encountered each group south of Interstate 8, attempting to smuggle marijuana into the United States. A total 490 pounds of marijuana, worth an estimated $245,450, was seized.

All subjects and drugs will be processed per Yuma Sector guidelines.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021