Yuma News Now

Tucson, Arizona - United States Border Patrol agents from the Tucson sector seized almost three tons of marijuana yesterday in two separate incidents.

Yesterday morning, agents assigned to the Ajo station working south of Why, observed an altered Dodge pickup truck near the International Boundary. Drug smugglers often alter vehicles so that they can haul larger loads of narcotics. As agents approached the vehicle, the driver exited and fled into Mexico to avoid arrest. Agents inspected the vehicle and discovered numerous bundles of marijuana. The total weight of the marijuana was approximately 2,500 pounds, with an estimated street value of $1,987,200. Registration checks on the vehicle revealed that the vehicle was reported stolen.

Later in the evening, a Border Patrol canine team working at the Aqua Linda Checkpoint alerted to a tractor-trailer carrying watermelons. Together, with the use of a mobile non-intrusive X-ray system, agents were able to pinpoint anomalies within the trailer. Further inspection of the watermelon freight yielded several bundles containing marijuana. The total weight of the marijuana was approximately 3,200 pounds, with an estimated street value of $2,560,000.

Smugglers’ tactics like altering vehicles, using false compartments, digging underground tunnels and even flying ultra light aircrafts continue to challenge the persistence and hard-working efforts of our Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents. The adaptive techniques and continued vigilance of Border Patrol field operations helps ensure these tactics are unsuccessful.

In fiscal year 2009, the total amount of marijuana seized by the Tucson Sector represents a record breaking number for the entire Border Patrol, with more than 830,000 pounds of marijuana seized.