Border agents confiscate pot, arrest nine immigrants

By Kevin Buey
Headlight staff
Posted: 02/17/2010

Further attempts to smuggle drugs through the Southwest New Mexico region were halted, once again, by U.S. Border Patrol agents, who seized more nearly a ton of drugs over the holiday weekend.

There were six seizures reported by Deming and Lordsburg USBP agents. The largest, by Deming agents, was a 363-pound load confiscated from nine illegal immigrants apprehended Friday as the immigrants walked across the desert.

Each carried a large backpack. All subjects were determined to have entered the United States illegally. Names were not released.

The contraband and subjects were transferred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents for prosecution.

The weekend closed with Border Patrol agents assigned to the I-10 checkpoint at mile marker 120 apprehending a 19-year-old who identified himself as a United States citizen. The man is wanted by the Grant County Sheriff's Office on assault charges.

Upon questioning the man and checking records, agents found an extensive criminal history, including eight counts of deadly conduct and discharging a firearm, evading arrest, felony criminal mischief, marijuana possession and felony tampering with evidence.

He was transferred to New Mexico State Police custody.

Kevin Buey can be reached at kbuey@demingheadlight.com

http://www.lcsun-news.com/new_mexico-news/ci_14413887