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Smuggler Flees Checkpoint, Crashes into Ditch

Release Date: 
January 5, 2017

TUCSON, Ariz. – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents working at the I-19 immigration checkpoint near Tubac, Arizona, arrested a 51-year-old Tucson man on Jan. 3 after he fled the checkpoint and later crashed his vehicle into a ditch.

Agents initially referred the driver for a secondary inspection of his Mercedes sedan after a Border Patrol canine alerted to the vehicle. Instead, the driver sped away.

An agent pursuing the suspect saw the vehicle exit the interstate and head south on East Frontage Road. The agent followed and later found the vehicle driverless and in a ditch.

A search of the area turned up the driver approximately 300 yards from the crash site. Agents also searched the Mercedes and found 34 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $17,000.

Agents seized the marijuana and Mercedes for processing, in accordance with Tucson Sector guidelines, while the suspect faces prosecution. 

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: 
February 3, 2021
Tags: 
Border Security
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