Thread: AZ: Border Patrol seizes nearly $900,000 worth of marijuana

Border Patrol seizes nearly $900,000 worth of marijuana
Reported by: Tara Twietmeyer

Last Update: 12/07 9:38 pm

WELLTON, AZ — U.S. Border Patrol agents have seized more than 1,000 pounds of marijuana while tracking three different groups of suspected drug smugglers in southwest Arizona.

On Thursday, agents assigned to the Camp Grip location say they found six undocumented immigrants trying to cross into the United States about 30 miles west of the Lukeville port of entry.

Officials say six suspected drug smugglers and six makeshift backpacks full of marijuana were taken into custody. According to agents, the backpacks were full of 13 bundles of marijuana weighing 293 pounds.

On Friday, Camp Grip agents and CBP agents found another group of suspected drug smugglers near the same area. Agents say four more suspected smugglers were arrested and another nine bundles of marijuana, weighing about 43 pounds each were found.

Camp Grip agents say the busts continued Saturday when they found another 10 people that crossed the border, near the same port of entry. This time, the suspected drug smugglers dropped eight backpacks and ran into Mexico to avoid being arrested.

Agents say the backpacks were full of 370 pounds of pot.

All together, Camp Grip agents arrested 10 suspected drug smugglers and seized 1,085 pounds of pot with an estimated street value of $868,000.

www.abc15.com

Originally Posted by jean

Border Patrol seizes nearly $900,000 worth of marijuana
Reported by: Tara Twietmeyer



All together, Camp Grip agents arrested 10 suspected drug smugglers and seized 1,085 pounds of pot with an estimated street value of $868,000.

I calculate only $650,000 street value@ $600 per pound, sold in pound quantities.
and $1,388,800, broke down to sell in ounces.
and $2,083,200 broke down in 1/4 ounces.

Over $1 million worth of marijuana seized
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December 09, 2009 6:07 PM
BY JAMES GILBERT, SUN STAFF WRITER

For the fourth time in a week, Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the remote Camp Grip prevented a group of backpack-carrying smugglers from bringing drugs into the country.

According to Agent Shaun Kuzia, a spokesman for the Yuma Sector, early Tuesday morning agents detected the illegal entry of six individuals about 30 miles west of the Lukeville port of entry.

"This area has been a pretty common route for drug smugglers in the past and they continue to use it. That is why we are out there."

While tracking the footprints across the remote desert, Kuzia said, Border Patrol agents located six abandoned makeshift backpacks of marijuana along the group's path.

"In the middle of the night, they can see our lights and know we are after them," Kuzia said. "So they drop their dope and run back into Mexico so they won't get arrested and sent to jail."

Kuzia said agents seized the marijuana and continued tracking the group of smugglers, who are thought to have doubled back and returned to Mexico.

Agents recovered 286 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $229,200. The marijuana was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Tuesday’s seizure brings the total amount of marijuana seized since Thursday to 1,371 pounds with an estimate street value of $1,096,800.

Camp Grip is Yuma Sector’s tactically deployed forward-operating base designed to maintain operational control of the seam between the Yuma and Tucson sectors.

Kuzia said the success of Camp Grip demonstrates the Border Patrol’s ability to mobilize its enforcement stance along the Southwest border where needed.

Bases such as this one, he said, act as a deterrent and an additional detection platform, ensuring that smuggling organizations understand that if they operate in these areas, they will be pursued and apprehended.

www.yumasun.com