AZ: BP seizes marijuana, cocaine in Wednesday incidents

Border Patrol seizes marijuana, cocaine in Wednesday incidents
February 25, 2011 4:58 PM
BY JAMES GILBERT - SUN STAFF WRITER

Yuma Sector U.S. Border Patrol agents seized more than 300 pounds of marijuana and approximately 16 pounds of cocaine in three separate incidents Wednesday.

Agent Robert Lowry, with the Yuma Sector communications, reported that agents assigned to the Blythe Station received an anonymous tip that a vehicle carrying narcotics would be passing through the Border Patrol checkpoint on Highway 95 south of Quartzsite.

A vehicle matching the description eventually approached the checkpoint and was referred for a secondary inspection after a canine team alerted to the vehicle, Lowry said. Border Patrol agents found packages of cocaine wrapped in duct tape under the rear seat cushion and in the rear door panels.

The cocaine has an estimated street value of $537,600. The driver, vehicle and narcotics were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

In a second incident, Lowry said Border Patrol agents stopped a vehicle near Blythe on U.S. Highway 78 at mile marker 66.

After observing the driver's suspicious and erratic behavior a canine team was called to the scene and performed an exterior sniff of the vehicle, resulting in a positive alert. During the inspection of the vehicle, agents discovered 81 pounds of marijuana. The narcotics had an estimated street value of $64,800. The case was turned over to the Riverside County Sheriff's Task Force in California.

A third incident occurred on Interstate 8 west of Gila Bend when agents assigned to the Wellton Station seized approximately 218 pounds of marijuana. Agents located five makeshift backpacks containing marijuana while searching an area known to be a hiding spot for illegal aliens.

The seized marijuana has an estimated street value of $174,560.

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