Border Patrol Seizes Half-Ton of Marijuana, Handguns

Tucson, Ariz. – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents seized more than
1,100 pounds of marijuana, two vehicles and three handguns in three separate
incidents within the last 36 hours.

Thursday morning, Casa Grande Station agents encountered a suspicious
vehicle parked on an isolated dirt road. When they approached the vehicle, three
subjects fled the scene. Agents apprehended one of the subjects, a 31-year-old
Mexican national. The vehicle contained 638 pounds of marijuana with an
estimated value of $319,000. The vehicle and marijuana were seized.

Wednesday, Tucson Station agents encountered a suspicious vehicle
driving near Three Points. When agents attempted a vehicle stop, the occupants
fled into the desert on foot. Agents then conducted tracking operations and
found a loaded 9-mm handgun on the ground. Agents also retrieved two loaded
.40-caliber handguns from inside the vehicle. The firearms were transported to
the Tucson Police Department for fingerprint analysis and will be further
analyzed by Customs and Border Protection.

In another incident Wednesday, agents working on the Camino Del
Diablo in the West Desert apprehended three undocumented aliens attempting to
smuggle 10 bundles of marijuana weighing 501 pounds. Agents transported the
marijuana, worth an estimated $250,000, to the Ajo Station for transfer to the
Drug Enforcement Administration. The three subjects are being prosecuted.

Advanced technology, increased infrastructure and additional
personnel have significantly increased the Tucson Sector’s ability to deter
smuggling organizations from transporting their contraband further into the
United States.

Since launching the Southwest Border Initiative in March 2009, the
Department of Homeland Security has made significant investments toward
establishing a secure, safe border environment to improve the quality of life
throughout Arizona communities.

Customs and Border Protection appreciates assistance from the
community. Report suspicious activity by calling the Border Patrol at (877)
872-7435. All calls will be answered and remain anonymous.

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 the official ports of
entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the
country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.