Tucson Border Patrol’s Weekend Marijuana Seizures Net 3 Loads Worth Nearly $1 Million

Tucson, Ariz. - Border Patrol agents assigned to the Tucson Sector, a component of the Joint Field Command-Arizona, seized more than 1,900 pounds of marijuana worth approximately $995,500 during three weekend incidents.

click for hi-res Agents at the State Route 80 Checkpoint seize bundles of marijuana hidden beneath the bed of the pick-up.

Casa Grande agents working with Office of Air and Marine and infrared detection assets responded to an area where 12 subjects were seen carrying large backpacks into the United States. As agents arrived, the helicopter crew observed all 12 subjects abscond back to Mexico. Agents searched the area and found 10 bundles of abandoned marijuana weighing more than 500 pounds and worth roughly $257,000.

On Saturday, a Willcox Station canine team working the primary inspection lane at the State Route 80 checkpoint alerted to a vehicle that agents later discovered was transporting 95 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $47,500. Agents found 20 bundles of marijuana hidden in a non-factory compartment under the truck’s bed. The driver was apprehended and is awaiting prosecution on smuggling charges. The vehicle and marijuana were seized for processing.

Sunday, an all terrain unit from the Ajo Station was patrolling in the West Desert east of the Lukeville Port and discovered footprints belonging to a possible group of illegal immigrants leading north from the border. Agents tracked the footprints to a bundle of marijuana hidden under some rocks at the top of a mountain. During an extensive search of the surrounding area, agents found an additional 29 bundles.