TUCSON, Ariz. – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents made two significant seizures during the weekend…2,765 pounds of marijuana worth almost $1.4 million.
Border Patrol agents from the Douglas Station seized nearly 1,400 pounds of marijuana tossed over the border fence into the U.S.
On Oct. 3, agents seized 1,377 pounds of marijuana just north of the international boundary near Douglas, Arizona. Agents conducting patrol duties noticed large objects apparently launched over the boundary fence just outside city limits. Agents responded and located multiple bundles of narcotics valued just under $700,000. Agents transported the bundles to the Douglas Border Patrol Station for further processing.
One day later, Ajo Border Patrol Station agents were operating a checkpoint on Highway 85, south of Gila Bend, Arizona, when a canine alerted to a camper trailer in the primary inspection lane. Agents referred the vehicle for a secondary inspection and uncovered 67 bundles of marijuana weighing 1,388 pounds. Agents seized the narcotics, vehicle and camper. The driver and occupant, identified as U.S. citizens, were arrested and transferred to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office for prosecution.
Although narcotics seizures in the Tucson Sector have declined during the past year, smugglers continue to come up with creative methods to conceal loads and circumvent detection. Tucson Sector accounts for nearly half of all narcotic seizures nationwide by the U.S. Border Patrol.
Hard work and vigilance by Tucson Sector agents continues to thwart these transnational criminal networks keen on promoting illicit narcotics sales in the United States.