Tucson, Arizona - Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents wrapped up a busy week after multiple encounters with narcotics smugglers.
Tuesday morning, Tucson Station agents interdicted a group of suspected narcotics smugglers south of Three Points, Arizona, with the help of surveillance cameras and an Air and Marine Operations (AMO) helicopter. When agents converged on the group in all-terrain vehicles, the smugglers dropped their contraband, consisting of marijuana and methamphetamine, and ran into the desert.
Later that day, Tucson Station agents attempted to stop a suspect driving a Ford Mustang near Arivaca. During the failure to yield, the driver threw bundles of contraband from the vehicle. When the vehicle eventually stopped, the driver fled on foot. An AMO helicopter pilot was able to guide agents to the suspect’s location to make the arrest.
Wednesday evening, Willcox Station agents stopped a suspicious vehicle and, with a canine’s assistance, found 112 bricks of marijuana, 88 grams of heroin and 14 grams of black tar heroin. Agents also seized more than $21,000 in cash. The driver and a passenger were arrested.
Also on Wednesday, agents working a service canine at the I-19 checkpoint discovered more than 5 pounds of methamphetamine hidden in a vehicle. Agents arrested the driver and seized the vehicle.
In total, Tucson Sector agents netted a combined 554 pounds of marijuana, 11 pounds of methamphetamine and 88 grams of black tar heroin. Agents estimate that the seized narcotics have a combined value exceeding $300,000.