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  4. Border Patrol Arrests 14 Smugglers and Illegal Immigrants, Seizes 4 ATVs, $2.5 Million in Marijuana

Border Patrol Arrests 14 Smugglers and Illegal Immigrants, Seizes 4 ATVs, $2.5 Million in Marijuana

Release Date
Mon, 12/09/2013

TUCSON, ARIZ.—U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents arrested eight smugglers, six illegal immigrants, seized four all-terrain vehicles (ATV), and 5,000 pounds of marijuana in separate incidents over the last two days.

With the assistance of CBP’s Office of Air and Marine (OAM) assets and border detection technology, Ajo and Casa Grande agents assigned to the West Desert Task Force discovered four abandoned ATVs and 69 bundles of marijuana early Wednesday scattered throughout an area northeast of the Kaka village on the Tohono O’odham Nation.

Later in the afternoon, agents assigned to Tucson Station’s Mobile Response Team arrested eight individuals south of Fragita Peak in the Arivaca area who had illegally crossed the U.S. border. An OAM air crew also helped agents locate 19 bundles of marijuana in the area.

At the I-19 checkpoint Thursday night, 120 bundles of marijuana were found in a tractor trailer after a canine alert. Later in the evening, six illegal immigrants, including a juvenile, were found hidden in a commercial trailer refrigerated at 45 degrees with no means of escape.

All drugs and vehicles were processed for seizure. All subjects were processed for prosecution and/or removal proceedings in accordance with Tucson Sector prosecution guidelines.

The West Desert Task Force is a joint initiative between U.S. Border Patrol, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations, and the Pinal County Sheriff's Office to combat narcotics trafficking in Arizona’s west desert region. The task force is sponsored by the High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area and Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force, and works in association with the Alliance to Combat Transnational Threats.

The Tucson Sector Border Patrol strives to secure America’s borders through the disruption and degrading of transnational criminal organizations. Border security is a joint effort between CBP, other law-enforcement partners and community stakeholders.

CBP also welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol by calling (877) 872-7435 toll free. All calls will be answered and remain anonymous.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021