Border Patrol Seizes 407 Pounds of Pot, Arrests 11

Yuma, Ariz. — U.S. Border Patrol agents from Yuma Sector’s Wellton Station seized approximately 407 pounds of marijuana, valued in excess of $203,500, and apprehended 11 suspected smugglers Monday morning.

Agents patrolling south of mile marker 96 on Interstate 8 detected a group of six individuals traversing the desert terrain nearby. Agents approached the group and found them to be in possession of 191 pounds of marijuana valued at $95,500.

Later that morning, agents patrolling near Gila Bend observed a group of five individuals traveling on foot through the desert and wearing large, rectangular backpacks. Agents intercepted the subjects and discovered their backpacks filled with a total of 216 ponds of marijuana worth an estimated $108,000.

The suspects – all Mexican nationals – and marijuana were turned over to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

Arizona-based Border Patrol agents have made significant progress combating transnational criminal organizations by impacting their efforts to transport contraband further into the United States; ensuring smugglers face stiff federal penalties for their actions. In Arizona, the probability of being detected and the consequences of doing so are higher than ever.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws