TUCSON, Ariz. – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents seized two vehicles, $223,510 in heroin, $270,450 in marijuana, and arrested three individuals during weekend checkpoint incidents.
On Dec. 21, agents at the I-19 checkpoint encountered a severely intoxicated motorist and contacted the Department of Public Safety. An officer responded, conducted a field sobriety test and arrested the male driver.
Sunday afternoon, hunters reported to agents at the SR83 checkpoint that they saw a group of individuals in the desert carrying possible drugs. Agents responded to the area southwest of Sonoita and found multiple bundles of marijuana worth a combined $205,500. No subjects were located during a subsequent search.
On the evening of Dec. 20, a canine at the I-19 checkpoint alerted to a vehicle, prompting agents to refer the driver for a secondary inspection. Instead, the vehicle fled the checkpoint at a high rate of speed. Agents followed in pursuit until an aircrew from the Office of Air and Marine took over. The driver exited the highway at Valencia Road, lost control of the vehicle, and then fled on foot into a residential area. Agents arrived at the vehicle and discovered an injured passenger who had to be transported to a local hospital for treatment. Agents also discovered bundles of marijuana in the trunk totaling $64,950. Agents eventually apprehended the driver and seized the vehicle and marijuana.
On the night of Dec. 19, a canine at the SR80 checkpoint assisted agents in the discovery of two packages of heroin hidden in a false compartment inside a vehicle’s speaker box. Agents arrested the driver. A 10-year-old passenger was turned over to Child Protective Services.
All subjects and contraband were processed in accordance with Tucson Sector prosecution guidelines.