Cocopah police, Border Patrol agents confiscate marijuana

yumasun.com
BY DARREN DARONCO - SUN STAFF WRITER
December 22, 2011 3:58 PM

Cocopah Tribal Police and Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents confiscated 42 pounds of marijuana and arrested one man in the area of County 17th Street near the border Wednesday night.

CTPD officers assigned to Operation Stonegarden responded to a call for assistance after Border Patrol agents reported that a suspected drug-smuggler had crossed the border on an ATV.

The man was taken into custody and transported to the Yuma County Adult Detention Center. He was held on charges of possession of marijuana, transportation of marijuana for sale and possession of marijuana for sale, according to the CTPD.

The marijuana had an estimated street value of $21,000.

Shortly after the seizure, Cocopah police officers and Border Patrol agents heard engine noises emanating from an area near County 12 7/8 Street and the border.

Officers discovered a van, which they suspected was carrying marijuana, attempting to illegally cross into the United States.

“We had assumed (the ATV) could have been a distraction,” said Cocopah Police Chief James Spurgeon, who added that smugglers often send one vehicle to act as a diversion.

Upon seeing the officers, the van returned to the Mexican side and became mired in mud on Mexican side of the border near the river.

Mexican law enforcement officials were notified of the incursion. It is unknown what became of the vehicle or the individuals involved.

Since 2007, the CTPD has been participating in Operation Stonegarden. Officers assigned to Operation Stonegarden are a visible law enforcement presence on the border and act as a deterrent to border crime and illegal drug and human trafficking.

The patrols are intended to ensure the safety of the community members that live in high activity border areas.

Darren DaRonco can be reached at (92 539-6857 or ddaronco@yumasun.com.

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