C.B.P. News Release

Tucson’s West Desert Yields more than $2.1 Million in Marijuana

(Tuesday, November 09, 2010)

Tucson, Ariz. – Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Ajo and Casa Grande Stations seized almost 2,600 pounds of marijuana in four separate seizures in the West Desert Monday.

In the first incident, agents observed a vehicle loading bundles of contraband from a wash. A canine team responded to the area and after alerting to the vehicle, agents seized 636 pounds of marijuana with an estimated value of more than $508,000. The vehicle, marijuana and the occupants were taken to the Casa Grande Station for processing. During the second incident, agents on motorcycles discovered 19 abandoned backpacks of marijuana hidden in a wash in a remote area of the West Desert. The total weight of the marijuana was 906 pounds with an estimated value of more than $724,000.

Later, while patrolling the West Desert, Ajo Station agents seized an M-4 rifle, 19 rounds of ammunition, and nine abandoned backpacks of marijuana, with an approximate weight of 480 pounds. Agents also located a single subject near the contraband and he was taken to the Ajo Station for processing. In the final incident, agents tracking footprints from the border recovered almost 570 pounds of marijuana with an estimated value of $456,000. The marijuana was transported to the Ajo Station for processing.

Specialty units, such as the motorcycle patrol unit and canine teams, continue to enhance the ability of agents to detect and locate contraband smuggled across the border. Deploying specialty teams with personnel and technology assists the Border Patrol in maintaining operational control of our border.

U.S. 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.

Contacts For This News Release
Tucson Sector
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (520) 748-3210

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 2010_4.xml