275 pounds of pot found on downed ultralight

Reported by: Deborah Stocks
Email: dstocks@abc15.com
Last Update: 5/31 2:00 pm

YUMA, Ariz. -- Authorities say Border Patrol agents were able to arrest two suspects trying to smuggle marijuana over the border in an ultralight near Yuma Saturday morning.

According to Ben Vik with the U.S. Border Patrol, at about 4:45 a.m. agents from the Yuma station detected a low-flying aircraft making illegal entry into the United States.

Agents were able to track the aircraft crossing the Colorado River south of County 14th Street and continuing eastbound.

The ultralight was seen hitting the ground north of County 15th Street about 1/4 mile west of Avenue G.

Vik said the pilot was seen running from the wreckage toward the Colorado River where agents believe he made it back into Mexico.

Agents were, however, able to take two other suspects into custody.

On board were found two large plastic-wrapped packages of marijuana weighing over 275 pounds with an estimated street value of nearly $220,500.

The two suspects were turned over to the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents and the aircraft and contraband were seizd by the Border Patrol.

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