Border Patrol Agents Seize More Than $1 Million in Marijuana
Yuma Sector agents seize marijuana and stolen vehicle

(Tuesday, December 18, 2007)

contacts for this news release

Yuma, Ariz. – Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents encountered a disabled smuggling vehicle loaded with 100 bundles of marijuana in the Imperial Sand Dunes west of Andrade, Calif., Saturday afternoon.

Border Patrol agents from the Yuma station performing routine patrol duties in the Imperial Sand Dunes, observed a group of quads south of their position. While agents made their way toward the group, they came across a white Ford F-250 pickup truck stuck in the sand. Upon closer inspection agents noticed the truck contained 100 bundles of marijuana. Tracks around the vehicle enabled agents to determine that the group of quads had been escorting the pickup out of Mexico when it became disabled in the sand. The group of quads returned to Mexico shortly after agents arrived on scene.

Records checks on the vehicle revealed the vehicle had been stolen out of Calexico, Calif., on Dec. 11, 2007. The stolen vehicle was originally listed as a black Ford F-350, however the vehicle had been painted white and the F-350 insignia was changed to an F-250 insignia in an effort to disguise the vehicle.

Border Patrol agents were able to free the stuck vehicle and remove it from the area. The vehicle and marijuana were turned over to Drug Enforcement Administration Officials.

The total weight of the marijuana was 1,916 pounds, worth an estimated $1.5 million.

This fiscal year, Yuma Sector agents have seized more than $6 million in illegal drugs.

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.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 2007_2.xml