Skip to main content

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • Archived Content
    In an effort to keep CBP.gov current, the archive contains content from a previous administration or is otherwise outdated.
  1. Home
  2. Newsroom
  3. Local Media Release
  4. Yuma Sector Apprehends Illegal Alien Backpacking over 7 Pounds of Methamphetamine

Yuma Sector Apprehends Illegal Alien Backpacking over 7 Pounds of Methamphetamine

Release Date
Wed, 06/17/2020

YUMA, Ariz. – Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents from Wellton Station apprehended and provided medical assistance to an illegal alien who was backpacking over seven pounds of methamphetamine through a remote area of the desert.

Agents seized 7.5 pounds of meth from a backpacker who was in distress in the desert near Wellton
Agents seized meth from a distressed
drug smuggler over the weekend.

Saturday afternoon, Wellton Station agents encountered the subject near Avenue 36 E and County 13th Street. The subject claimed to be in distress and a Border Patrol Emergency Medical Technician evaluated the subject and administered intravenous fluids. Upon searching the subject’s backpack, agents discovered three sealed packages that tested positive for methamphetamine. The total weight of the narcotics was approximately 7.5 pounds with an estimated street value of almost $15,000.

The subject, a male Mexican national, was arrested for immigration and controlled substance violations. The narcotics were seized.

Transnational criminal organizations utilize narcotics backpackers to travel through remote terrain and be picked up on major roadways The narcotics are then intended to be transported to urban areas for sale and distribution.

 

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 official ports of entry. CBP is charged with securing the borders of the United States while enforcing hundreds of laws and facilitating lawful trade and travel.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021