TUCSON, Ariz. –Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents from the Sonoita Station seized a ton of marijuana, one gram of cocaine and arrested two illegal aliens in a single weekend incident.
Border Patrol agents assigned to the Sonoita Station seized ton of marijuana as well as a gram of cocaine, in addition to two smugglers.
On June 26, agents attempted to stop a suspicious vehicle on SR 83, but the vehicle fled. After agents stopped the vehicle using a tire deflation device, the driver and passenger, both Mexican nationals, ran from the vehicle. An aircrew from Office of Air and Marine, Tucson Air Branch, moved in and helped agents locate and apprehend the duo.
A search of the vehicle revealed 178 bundles of marijuana weighing almost 2,200 pounds. In addition, both subjects were in possession of .9 grams of cocaine.
Agents seized the drugs, worth more than $1 million, and vehicle. The subjects will face prosecution.
“As our ability to detect and deter criminal activity improves,” said Sonoita Station Patrol Agent in Charge Jeff Zadareky, “smugglers resort to more drastic measures to evade our agents. Smugglers are motivated by greed and continue to put lives at risk with their selfish actions.”
Border Patrol agents work diligently to combat transnational criminal organizations by negatively impacting their ability to transport contraband deeper into the United States. Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents have seized more than 533,000 pounds of marijuana this fiscal year, which began Oct. 1, 2014.