Ultra-light intercepted with 223 lbs marijuana

Tucson, Ariz. U.S. Customs and Border Protections air operations spotted and interdicted an ultra-light aircraft last week that illegally crossed the U.S.-Mexican border carrying approximately 223 pounds of marijuana. The smuggled drugs have an approximate street value of $180,000. CBPs Air & Marine Operations Center in Riverside, California detected an unidentified northbound, low-flying aircraft 12 miles west of Nogales, Arizona and just north of the border. A CBP surveillance helicopter from Tucson was launched and identified the airplane as an ultra-light aircraft. The ultra-light landed three miles southwest of Marana Regional Airport, Marana, Ariz. Once on the ground, the pilot attempted to abscond on foot. The CBP helicopter landed at the scene and apprehended the pilot, a Mexican national. A search of the aircraft revealed 10 bundles of marijuana with an estimated weight of 223 pounds. A 2006 Kawasaki ATV was also found. The pilot, the aircraft, the marijuana and the ATV were turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for further investigation with the assistance from CBP Air and Marine. CBPs Air and Marine Operations Center spotted this light aircraft illegally enter the U.S. from Mexico. It was found to be smuggling marijuana. The Air & Marine Operations Center is a state-of-the-art, law enforcement radar surveillance facility that tracks and seeks to identify general aviation aircraft that are inbound to the United States, looking for drug smuggling or terrorist activity.