YUMA, Ariz. – Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents intercepted a human smuggling attempt and seized nearly 400 pounds of marijuana during separate weekend incidents.
Agents arrested three illegal immigrants travelling through Dome Valley in an apparent effort to circumvent Wellton Station’s eastbound checkpoint on Interstate 8. The driver ignored the Border Patrol vehicle’s emergency equipment and continued to accelerate in an attempt to evade arrest. After a couple of abrupt stops, all occupants exited the vehicle and the driver was able to avoid arrest. Agents located and arrested a female passenger, a B1/B2 Visa card holder, and three illegal immigrants.
During three incidents in Wellton Station’s area of responsibility, agents seized a total of 394 pounds of abandoned marijuana, worth an estimated $197,000. 20 pounds of marijuana, worth approximately $10,000, discovered south of Tacna. Agents also seized 82 pounds of marijuana, worth an estimated $41,000, near mile marker 98, and another 292 pounds, worth about $146,000, south of Sentinel.
Yuma Station agents arrested one male and one female Mexican national after the two illegally crossed the U.S./Mexico border along the upper Colorado River on a motorcycle. Agents caught up to the two when they drove the motorcycle into a concrete irrigation ditch.
All illegal immigrants and contraband will be processed per Yuma Sector guidelines. The B1/B2 Visa card holder was later released.