Yuma and El Centro U.S. Border Patrol Seizures

Posted: Feb 06, 2012 9:58 PM PST
Story by Felicia Martinez, Weekend Anchor/Reporter

Yuma AZ/El Centro, CA Feb. 6 - It was a busy weekend for U.S Border Patrol agents in the Desert Southwest.

On Friday, agents assigned to the Yuma Sectors Camp Grip found footprints indicating a group of individuals had crossed into the U.S. illegally. After a tracking the footprints agents found three suspects with backpacks filled with more than 100 pounds of marijuana worth $137,000.

The drugs were seized for destruction and the suspects were arrested and processed for removal. In a separate incident the same night, Welton agents detected two individuals traveling by foot through the desert.

According to border patrol the two were arrested after discovering they were armed with a .38 caliber handgun, a BB pistol resembling a firearm, a knife with brass knuckles attached. The suspects were also in possession of 3.29grams of methamphetamine, a glass pipe, $1,992 cash, camouflage clothing and .233-caliber ammunition. The suspects, weapons and property were turned over to the bureau of alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives.

Saturday, border patrol says Welton station agents found four abandoned backpacks filled with 185 pounds of marijuana. After securing the narcotics agent's tracked footprints which led them to the drugs and arrested four individuals. The Pot, worth $92,600 was seized for destruction and the four individuals were arrested and processed for removal.

On the same night agents from the El Centro station say they arrested two smugglers after they attempted to transport more than1,200 pounds of marijuana across the U.S. Mexico border in their SUV.

Agents say the driver and passenger attempted to flee but after getting stuck in sand and taking off on foot they were quickly apprehended.

According to border patrol they discovered 51 packages of marijuana valued at $960,000. The driver and passenger, both Mexican citizens were turned over to the drug enforcement administration along with the vehicle and marijuana.

Yuma and El Centro U.S. Border Patrol Seizures - KSWT: Local News, Weather, Sports Yuma, AZ El Centro Imperial Valley, CA