Border Patrol Seizes 2+ Tons of Marijuana Near Tucson

Tucson, Arizona Border Patrol Agents from the Tucson Sector made six significant drug seizures early this month. Seizures occurred throughout the Tucson Sector; two from Nogales, two from the Tucson, one from Sonoita, and one from the Casa Grande. Agents assigned to the Sonoita station received information from a CBP helicopter crew that observed a suspicious vehicle driving off-road south of Interstate 10 near State Route 83. Agents attempted to stop the vehicles progress but the driver of vehicle rammed a Border Patrol vehicle. Agents were able to arrest the driver. Inside the vehicle agents discovered more than 1,100 pounds of marijuana valued at more than $1 million. The drugs have been turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The vehicle was determined stolen and has been turned over to the Pima County Sherriffs Office. The driver, a Mexican National, was transported to the Sonoita Border Patrol Station for processing. Agents assigned to the Tucson station, were working near the Green Valley area when they observed two suspicious vehicles driving westbound on Elephant Head Road. As agents activated their emergency lights and sirens to conduct a stop, both vehicles fled south on the frontage road of Interstate 19. The vehicles then went off-road and all of the occupants ran from the vehicles. Inside the vehicles, agents discovered marijuana with a combined weight of approximately 379 pounds with an estimated value of $303,200. The drugs have been turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration, and both vehicles were processed for seizure by the Border Patrol. Border Patrol agents with detector dogs working at the Interstate 19 checkpoint alerted to the presence of narcotics. Agents discovered a total of 31 pounds of marijuana was found hidden behind the rear seat of the vehicle and in a modified gas tank underneath it. The driver, a Mexican female with a legal visa was arrested and transported to the Nogales Border Patrol Station for further processing. The drugs have been turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the vehicle will be processed for seizure by the Border Patrol. Earlier, agents assigned to the Casa Grande station were performing routine patrols near Cocklebur, Arizona. The agents received information from other law enforcement officials working in the area of a suspicious vehicle possibly carrying narcotics. Agents then found tire tracks that led them to an abandoned Chevrolet Suburban. Inside the vehicle, agents discovered numerous bundles of marijuana. The total weight of the marijuana was over 1,760 pounds with a value of $1,413,280. A registration check revealed that the vehicle was reported stolen from Yuma, Ariz. The drugs have been turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration, and the vehicle was turned over to the Tohono Oodham Police Department. Agents assigned to the Nogales Border Patrol station working near Rio Rico, Ariz. observed a group of eight subjects 12 miles north of the border. Seven of the subjects were carrying bundles of marijuana and one was carrying a rifle. Agents approached the group and identified themselves as Border Patrol Agents. The group dropped the bundles and rifle and fled the scene. After securing the contraband, the area was thoroughly searched but the agents were unable to locate any persons or additional contraband. The total weight of the marijuana was more than 400 pounds with a value of $327,200. The marijuana has been turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The rifle, a Romanian WASR included 47 rounds of ammunition was transported to the Nogales Border Patrol Station for proper disposal. Tucson sector Border Patrol agents seized more marijuana than any other sector during fiscal year 2008, accounting for 812,142 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $649 million. Agents seized 46,766 pounds of marijuana during October, the first month in fiscal year 2009.