YUMA, Ariz. — Agents assigned to Yuma Sector seized 944 pounds of marijuana and arrested 14 individuals during multiple incidents in three days.
Agents working at the checkpoint on Highway 95 near Quartzsite on Nov. 21 arrested a driver carrying 233 grams of methamphetamines. Following a canine alert, agents referred the driver to secondary inspection and found the methamphetamines hidden in a jacket pocket and in the center console of the vehicle. Agents turned the driver and methamphetamines over to the Yuma County Sheriff’s Office.
On the same day, agents patrolling near Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge located and arrested five subjects who entered the U.S. illegally. After securing the subjects, agents searched the area and discovered nine makeshift backpacks filled with a combined 450 pounds of marijuana, worth an estimated $225,000. The subjects and marijuana were processed per Yuma Sector guidelines.
On Nov. 22, agents working near Gila Bend observed four individuals walking northbound toward Highway 85. Agents arrived on scene and found four backpacks containing a combined 171 pounds of marijuana valued at an estimated $85,500. All four subjects and marijuana were turned over to the Maricopa Sheriff’s Office.
In another incident, agents patrolling near Gila Bend observed four more subjects walking northbound near Highway 85. Agents found the subjects hiding next to three backpacks of marijuana totaling 323 pounds and worth an estimated $161,500. The subjects and marijuana were turned over to the Maricopa Sheriff’s Office.