C.B.P. News Release

Border Patrol in Arizona Busy Nabbing Drug Smugglers

(Friday, March 20, 2009)

Wellton, Ariz. – In two separate incidents, Border Patrol agents from Yuma, Ariz. seized a total of 833 pounds of marijuana, and arrested 17 suspected smugglers.

At about 10 a.m., Wednesday Border Patrol agents working in the desert east of Dateland, Ariz. discovered footprints of several subjects. Agents began following the footprints, and after tracking them for 13 miles, discovered eight backpacks hidden in the underbrush.

The backpacks contained marijuana weighing over 400 pounds. Near the backpacks, agents arrested eight individuals who were also hiding in the underbrush. All subjects were citizens of Mexico who had entered the United States illegally.

The next morning, Border Patrol agents discovered additional footprints in the desert south of Wellton, Ariz. Agents tracked those footprints about 19 miles before they encountered nine subjects carrying backpacks containing a total of 432 pounds of marijuana. The nine subjects were found to be citizens of Mexico, illegally present in the United States.

The 400 pounds of marijuana, with an estimated value of $320,240, and the eight suspects apprehended near Dateland were turned over to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Department.

The 432 pounds of marijuana, with an estimated value of $346,160, and the nine suspects apprehended south of Wellton, Ariz. were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Contacts For This News Release
Yuma Sector
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (928) 341-6520

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 202009.xml