http://www.azstarnet.com/sn/printDS/135778

Published: 06.29.2006

Border agents seize 3.5 tons of pot
By Aaron Mackey
ARIZONA DAILY STAR
Border Patrol agents seized nearly 7,000 pounds of marijuana in the past two days in three separate incidents.
In Wednesday's seizure, an agent was patrolling along Arizona 86 about 100 miles west of Tucson when he noticed tire tracks heading north into the desert, said Sean King, an agency spokesman.
The agent found an empty black 2005 Chevrolet pickup truck parked in the desert about two miles from the road, King said.
Inside the truck, which was reported stolen, the agent found 1,740 pounds of marijuana.
Agents searched the area but couldn't find a driver.
In Tuesday's first incident, an agent was on patrol along Federal Route 1 near Ajo about 9 a.m. when he pulled over a white Chevrolet pickup truck towing a trailer, said Gustavo Soto, an agency spokesman.
The agent believed there was marijuana in the truck and called for a drug-sniffing dog to investigate, Soto said.
The dog smelled marijuana, and agents arrested the two men in the truck, Soto said.
The truck and trailer were taken to the Ajo station where they were searched. Inside, agents found 1,900 pounds of marijuana, he said.
In another incident, agents were patrolling south of Arivaca later Tuesday when they saw two Ford pickup trucks heading north on Tres Bellotas Road, Soto said.
When agents began following the trucks, both vehicles turned around and headed southwest toward the border, Soto said.
One truck became stuck in a ditch while another stopped on a hill, Soto said.
The occupants ran from the area and are believed to have crossed back into Mexico, Soto said.
Both trucks, which had been reported stolen, were taken to a Border Patrol station and searched. Inside the vehicles, agents found 3,442 pounds of marijuana, Soto said.