9 alleged drug smugglers arrested at Ariz. border

Associated Press

Posted on August 18, 2011 at 3:03 AM

WELLTON, Ariz. (AP) — Border Patrol agents say they've arrested nine suspected illegal immigrants and seized about 228 pounds of marijuana that was being smuggled across the Arizona border.

Agents were tracking footprints of suspected illegal immigrants west of Gila Bend on Tuesday when they encountered seven people south of Interstate 8 and two more north of the highway.

A search of the surrounding area also yielded five makeshift backpacks containing marijuana.

Authorities say the marijuana had an estimated value of about $114,000. It was turned over the Drug Enforcement Administration, who is investigating the case.

The names and nationalities of the nine people arrested weren't immediately released.

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