Thread: Drug smuggling Jeep gets stuck on makeshift border ramp

Drug smuggling Jeep gets stuck on makeshift ramp

By: Crystal Bedoya

• Posted: Feb 15, 2019 06:04 PM MST

Updated: Feb 15, 2019 09:14 PM MST



Border Patrol: Drug smuggling Jeep gets stuck on makeshift ramp

TUCSON, Ariz. - With the help of Mexican authorities, Border Patrol seized an alleged drug smuggling Jeep that became stuck on a makeshift ramp in a remote area of the Sonoran desert Wednesday night.

Border Patrol agents guarding near the Yuma/Maricopa county line found tracks from an off-road vehicle on protected land about four miles north of the U.S.-Mexico border, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) said.

CBP added that an Air and Marine Operations helicopter crew assisted in the discovery of a modified Jeep Cherokee, boarded by 11 individuals and several suspected bundles of marijuana, which was speeding towards the international border.

After attempting to drive across a makeshift ramp, the Jeep became stuck on the post and rail vehicle barrier. This led the occupants to flee into Mexico with the suspected marijuana, authorities said. Agents contacted Mexican officials who sent military law enforcement to the area.


U.S. Customs and Border Protection

CBP officials said Mexican authorities were able to seize the vehicle but no suspects or drugs were found. Border Patrol was able to locate where the Jeep initially entered into the United States and recovered two additional homemade vehicle ramps.

https://www.kyma.com/news/border-pat...amp/1021669028

BUILD THE WALL

BUILD IT TALL

KEEP THEM ALL OUT OF OUR COUNTRY!

What makes them think it was marijuana that was being hauled across the border? I keep hearing how a large majority of the harsher drugs are coming in through the port of entries, but my question is, how do they actually know this? Just because they confiscate a majority of the drugs at the port of entries doesn't mean the smugglers aren't sneaking more of them through our wide-open sections of border or through tunnels.

Originally Posted by MW

What makes them think it was marijuana that was being hauled across the border? I keep hearing how a large majority of the harsher drugs are coming in through the port of entries, but my question is, how do they actually know this? Just because they confiscate a majority of the drugs at the port of entries doesn't mean the smugglers aren't sneaking more of them through our wide-open sections of border or through tunnels.

MW, I heard former ICE director, Thomas Homan, speak about the found drugs at the ports of entry versus the rest of the border where drugs enter illegally. They check each vehicle at the ports of entry so it is easier to find drugs in that setting. Drug cartels use the easier areas for them to cross successfully along the border to get their product across. They may never be encountered so government officials who would intervene have no idea. Those who track drug seizures don't know what they don't know. If only 1 in 4 or 5 individuals who cross the border are caught, that is a lot of people carrying or smuggling whatever without detection.

Nearly $1 Million In Marijuana Seize

Posted: Feb 15, 2019 09:39 PM CST
Updated: Feb 15, 2019 09:39 PM CST

EDINBURG, Texas - U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley disrupted six narcotic smuggling attempts resulting in the seizure of over 1,200 pounds of marijuana in separate incidents.

On Thursday, Rio Grande City agents working near Los Barreras, Texas, observed multiple subjects load bundles of marijuana into a vehicle just north of the Rio Grande.

As agents responded, the driver abandoned the vehicle and fled the area. A search of the vehicle revealed 12 bundles of marijuana weighing nearly 560 pounds worth an estimated $448K.

Additionally, within the past three days agents stopped five separate marijuana smuggling attempts resulting in the seizure of over 680 pounds with an estimated value of $544K.

https://www.kveo.com/news/local-news...zed/1786504775

MCSO: Three arrested in Gila Bend drug bust, $2 million seized in meth and marijuana


Posted: 7:15 PM, Feb 01, 2019
Updated: 6:15 PM, Feb 01, 2019
By: abc15.com staff








Three men are in custody after detectives with the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office seized $2 million worth of drugs in a multi-agency bust on Wednesday night.

MCSO detectives and agents from the U.S Customs and Border Protection working in the Gila Bend area observed two trucks avoid a border checkpoint and drive into the desert with their lights off.

Officials say tire deflation devices were deployed ahead of the trucks to prevent a potential pursuit, and both trucks became inoperable after striking the devices.

According to MCSO, four suspects fled from the trucks on foot. Detectives coordinated with CBP agents, and with the help of air support, took three suspects into custody. There was no information available about the fourth suspect's whereabouts.

When authorities searched the trucks, over 220 pounds of methamphetamine and 3,500 pounds of marijuana were found and seized. The estimated street value of the drugs is $2 million.

RELATED: US border officials in Arizona make record fentanyl seizure

"This seizure is an example of exceptional police work by our deputies and law enforcement partners," said MCSO Sheriff Paul Penzone. "It is also an example that the demand for drugs continues to be epidemic. Illicit drugs are the most impactful contributor to violence, crime and gang activity that continues to adversely impact our community and our families. We will be unwavering in our commitment to hold the line."

Officials say 31-year-old Jose Jaime Garcia-Lopez, 49-year-old Yoni Ontiveros-Torres, and 47-year-old Ruben Espericueta-Jiminez are facing charges of possession and transportation of dangerous drugs for sale, and possession and transportation of marijuana for sale.

https://www.kgun9.com/news/region-ce...-and-marijuana

Border Patrol, Arkansas National Guard team up on drug bust in New Mexico

Associated Press
Published 2:28 p.m. MT Jan. 31, 2019

Border Patrol Trains at Anapra Border Fence Mark R Lambie, El Paso Times


LORDSBURG – Authorities say an Arkansas National Guard helicopter deployed to the New Mexico desert to help secure the U.S.-Mexico border helped federal agents seize large sacks of marijuana and arrest four camouflage-clad men hiding in brush at night.

National Guard and Customs and Border Patrol officials said Thursday that the LUH-72 Lakota helicopter’s crew used its night-vision equipment to first guide Border Patrol agents on ATVs to the hiding suspects and then located the nearly 136 pounds of marijuana in burlap sacks stashed nearby. The value of the marijuana was estimated to be more than $108,000.

A Border Patrol agent had initially spotted the men walking along a road.

The incident occurred Tuesday night near Playas, New Mexico, which is about 120 miles west of El Paso and about 39 miles north of the border.

https://www.lcsun-news.com/story/new...co/2734703002/

Originally Posted by MW

What makes them think it was marijuana that was being hauled across the border? . . .

Hard drugs are usually in 1 pound or 1 kilo packages.

Marijuana is usually in 25-50 pound packages.


A meth haul with an estimated value of more than $12 million was uncovered in Texas over the weekend, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials announced Tuesday. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

EDINBURG, Texas - U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley disrupted six narcotic smuggling attempts resulting in the seizure of over 1,200 pounds of marijuana in separate incidents.

Originally Posted by JohnDoe2

Hard drugs are usually in 1 pound or 1 kilo packages.

Marijuana is usually in 25-50 pound packages.


A meth haul with an estimated value of more than $12 million was uncovered in Texas over the weekend, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials announced Tuesday. (U.S. Customs and Border Protection)

EDINBURG, Texas - U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Rio Grande Valley disrupted six narcotic smuggling attempts resulting in the seizure of over 1,200 pounds of marijuana in separate incidents.

Okay, that still doesn't mean a large majority of the harsher drugs are coming through the port of entry and official checkpoints. The fact that more of the harsher drugs are confiscated at the port of entry only attest to the fact that there are more inspections, screeners, drug dogs and other assets at these locations. There are a lot of open border areas out there where people come through virtually untouched and undetected.

What if we didn't have TSA screeners at the airports? How much contraband would we confiscate if folks bags and persons weren't checked? That would be none.

My points is, most of the harsher drugs are caught at the port of entry and checkpoints because that's where we have the most assets for detection.

I have to ask myself: Who would be more likely to know the facts, Border Patrol Agents who work on the border every day or someone who lives hundreds of miles from the border and has never worked one day on the border?