Posted: Oct 26, 2012 11:06 AM PDT Updated: Oct 26, 2012 11:21 AM PDT
By Phil Benson
kpho.com


Eduardo Morales

TUCSON, AZ (CBS5) -

Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents seized marijuana and arrested multiple sex offenders and smugglers in separate cases this past week.

Four people arrested had significant sexual criminal histories, Customs and Border Protection officials said.

Eduardo Morales, 38, of Tlalnepantla, Mexico, had several prior sex offenses that included sex with a minor. He was convicted in 2009 in California. Records also showed he was recently removed from the U.S. through California.

During vehicle stops and at various checkpoints, Tucson Sector agents also discovered human smugglers. One incident involved a 42-year-old U.S. citizen, Glenda Luna. She was arrested Tuesday evening at the Interstate 19 checkpoint for allegedly attempting to smuggle two Mexicans into the U.S. Luna's 13-year-old son, who was in the vehicle, was handed over to Child Protective Services.

Willcox Station agents, assisted by a K-9 team, discovered and seized 171 pounds of marijuana from a vehicle at the State Route 80 checkpoint Wednesday. A Nogales Station K-9 team responding to detection technology east of Nogales found 396 pounds of abandoned marijuana. Ajo Stations agents removed 1,124 pounds from an abandoned vehicle near Federal Route 34 on Monday. Combined, agents seized 1,691 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $845,500.

Agents from the Willcox Station assisted the Cochise County Sheriff's Office Thursday morning in an investigation of a suspicious vehicle. Black tar heroin and 11 bundles of marijuana were discovered inside the vehicle, which was stolen. CCSO arrested two people and seized the vehicle and narcotics.

Multiple sex offenders, smugglers nabbed by Border Patrol - CBS 5 - KPHO