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  4. Border Patrol Seizes 407 Pounds of Pot, Arrests 11

Border Patrol Seizes 407 Pounds of Pot, Arrests 11

Release Date
Tue, 03/20/2012

YUMA, ARIZ.—U.S. Border Patrol agents from Yuma Sector's Wellton Station seized approximately 407 pounds of marijuana, valued in excess of $203,500, and apprehended 11 suspected smugglers Monday morning.

Agents patrolling south of mile marker 96 on Interstate 8 detected a group of six individuals traversing the desert terrain nearby. Agents approached the group and found them to be in possession of 191 pounds of marijuana valued at $95,500.

Later that morning, agents patrolling near Gila Bend observed a group of five individuals traveling on foot through the desert and wearing large, rectangular backpacks. Agents intercepted the subjects and discovered their backpacks filled with a total of 216 ponds of marijuana worth an estimated $108,000.

The suspects - all Mexican nationals - and marijuana were turned over to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

Arizona-based Border Patrol agents have made significant progress combating transnational criminal organizations by impacting their efforts to transport contraband further into the United States; ensuring smugglers face stiff federal penalties for their actions. In Arizona, the probability of being detected and the consequences of doing so are higher than ever.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021