Yuma, Arizona - Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents working at the Interstate 8 immigration checkpoint thwarted two smuggling attempts resulting in arrests for alien and narcotics smuggling this past weekend.

Agents arrested a male U.S. citizen who attempted to smuggle four illegal aliens. The man tried to avoid inspection by circumventing the checkpoint through Dome Valley on Friday morning.

On Saturday afternoon, a male Mexican national was arrested at the checkpoint for narcotics smuggling. The driver, in possession of an I-94 and a Border Crossing card, was referred for a secondary inspection after a canine detection team alerted to the vehicle he was driving. Agents discovered nearly 17 pounds of methamphetamine, valued at an estimated $51,000, hidden in the vehicle’s engine compartment.

The suspects, narcotics, and vehicles were processed per Yuma Sector guidelines in both incidents.

Federal law allows agents to charge individuals by complaint, a method that allows the filing of charges for criminal activity without inferring guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless or until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents effectively combat smuggling organizations attempting to illegally transport people and contraband through southwestern Arizona and California. Citizens can help the Border Patrol and U.S. Customs and Border Protection by calling 1-866-999-8727 toll-free to report suspicious activity. Callers can remain anonymous.