Seizures of marijuana soaring in Arizona, much of Southwest


Associated Press - May 26, 2007 6:44 PM ET

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) - Officials say seizures of marijuana being smuggled into the US from Mexico have soared this year in southern Arizona.

Just since October, law enforcement officers in the state have intercepted more than 675,000 pounds of pot. That's a 25% increase from the same period a year earlier.

For the entire fiscal year that ran from October 2005 through September 2006, authorities nabbed more than 900,000s pounds.

Pot seizures are up across the Southwest this year, except for New Mexico. Seizures in west and south Texas have shot up by 54% and have increased 14% in California.

A Border Patrol spokesman credits more agents on the southern border, national guard soldiers and better technology for the increased amount of intercepted grass.

Agent Gus Soto says illegal immigrants are making fewer trips but dope smugglers are still working hard to get their product into the US.

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