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Ultra-light Aircraft Detected Dropping Drugs From the Sky

Release Date
Wed, 04/22/2015

YUMA, Ariz. – Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents seized more than 500 pounds of marijuana, worth in excess of $270,000, during two weekend incidents.

Agents working at the Customs and Border Protection’s Air and Marine Operations Center detected an ultra-light aircraft fly over the Colorado River and into the United States.  Yuma Border Patrol agents responded to the area and, with assistance from Office of Air and Marine Yuma Air Branch pilots, recovered 231 pounds of marijuana dropped into an agriculture field.  The marijuana’s estimated value is $115,500.

In a separate incident, Wellton Border Patrol agents tracking a group of individuals that had illegally crossed the U.S. border, found 314 pounds of abandoned marijuana in Gila Bend, west of State Route 85. The group, however, could not be located.  The marijuana’s estimated value is $157,000.

All drugs were seized and processed for destruction per Yuma Sector guidelines.

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