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  4. El Centro Sector Border Patrol Seizes 300 pounds of Marijuana Dropped by Ultra-Light Aircraft

El Centro Sector Border Patrol Seizes 300 pounds of Marijuana Dropped by Ultra-Light Aircraft

Release Date
Wed, 12/12/2012

Calexico, Calif. - Today, U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the El Centro Sector seized more than 300 pounds of marijuana that dropped from an ultra-light aircraft in Calexico.

The incident took place at around 1:10 a.m., after Border Patrol agents witnessed an ultra-light aircraft traveling north into the U.S. from Mexico near the Calexico Downtown Port of Entry. Agents witnessed the ultra-light drop a package near Meadows and Spud Moreno Roads in Calexico, then traveled back into Mexico. Agents conducted an extensive ground search and discovered a white 1991 Jeep Cherokee with its engine running and 10 bundles near it.

At the station, agents determined that the bundles contained marijuana, weighing 300 pounds, with an estimated street value of $240,000.

El Centro Sector Border Patrol seized the Jeep Cherokee. The Drug Enforcement Administration took custody of the seized marijuana.

Acting Chief Patrol Agent Roy D. Villareal stated, "The use of ultra-light aircraft in smuggling operations is an ongoing focus of Customs and Border Protection. The El Centro Sector is utilizing all available resources to detect, interdict and apprehend trans-national air incursions. The collaboration and partnerships with other local and federal law enforcement agencies in our area has been vital in our approach to addressing these occurrences."

The El Centro Sector's Community Awareness Campaign is a simple and effective program to raise public awareness on the indicators of crime and other threats. We encourage public and private sector employees to remain vigilant and play a key role in keeping our country safe. Please report any suspicious activity to the Border Community Threat Hotline at (800) 901-2003.

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