BP nabs 8 suspects, $142,000 in marijuana

November 26, 2009 4:06 PM
BY STEPHANIE A. WILKEN, SUN STAFF WRITER

U.S. Border Patrol agents seized more than $140,000 worth of marijuana Wednesday after tracking and arresting eight people who entered the country illegally.

Agents with the Wellton Station, east of Yuma, detected the illegal entry of several individuals at about 2:30 p.m., according to a news release from the BP.

"Border Patrol agents tracked the group's footprints and discovered two subjects hiding in a culvert under Interstate 8," according to the release. "Another six subjects attempted to flee the area to avoid arrest, but agents quickly tracked them down and arrested them."

Agents seized six bundles of marijuana in a culvert that runs underneath I-8.

The bundles contained more than 177 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $142,000. The agents also discovered another 3.2 ounces of marijuana that two of the subjects had hidden inside their pockets, according to the release.

The contraband and the eight suspected smugglers were transported to the Wellton Border Patrol Station, then both were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

"Tracking and signcutting are skills that Border Patrol agents use to enforce Federal laws," according to the news release. "Since Oct. 1, 2008, Yuma Sector agents have seized more than 52,000 pounds of marijuana utilizing these essential techniques."


http://www.yumasun.com/news/agents-5447 ... lease.html