C.B.P. News Release

Border Patrol Seizes $4.7 Million worth of Marijuana

(Wednesday, February 24, 2010)

Tucson, Ariz. – In the past 48 hours, U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Tucson Sector seized more than 5,900 pounds of marijuana valued at approximately $4.7 million.

A few of the most significant seizures included in the total over the past two days were attributed to the Ajo Station All-Terrain Vehicle Unit who confiscation of 772 pounds; Casa Grande agents’ seizure of 431 pounds recovered from a hidden compartment in a vehicle; and agents assigned to the Tucson Station discovering an additional 239 pounds during a vehicle stop.

The continued vigilance of Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents is preventing illegal drugs from reaching communities across the United States. Specialty units, such as the ATV unit, are important assets for improving response times and agent’s effectiveness in remote areas.

Tucson Sector agents have seized more than 350,000 pounds of marijuana in the first four months of this fiscal year (October through January) with an estimated value exceeding $287 million. During the same time frame last year, the Tucson Sector Border Patrol seized 341,000 pounds of marijuana valued at approximately $273 million.

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
Tucson Sector
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (520) 748-3210

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 2010_2.xml