Border Patrol Agents in Tucson Seize $1.7 Million in Marijuana

May 05, 2010 - Tucson, Ariz. – U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Tucson Sector foiled three separate smuggling attempts yesterday, netting more than 2,000 pounds of marijuana with an estimated value of $1.7 million.

Two of the incidents occurred within eight hours of each other in the Nogales Station’s area of responsibility. In the morning hours, an agent operating a Mobile Surveillance System detected a suspicious vehicle in a remote area 10 miles east of Nogales. Agents responded and encountered an abandoned truck containing 38 bundles of marijuana weighing more than 1,000 pounds. The bundles, valued at more than $858,000, were taken to the Nogales Station for processing. The agent operating the MSS reported seeing two occupants exit the vehicle and flee into Mexico.

Later, agents from the same station stopped a suspicious vehicle east of Nogales but the driver and a passenger fled on foot as agents approached. Inside the vehicle, agents discovered 12 bundles of marijuana. Agents located the suspects a short time later. The marijuana, weighing more than 500 pounds and with an estimated value of $424,000, was taken to the Nogales Station for processing. The two occupants are being held for prosecution.

Late yesterday evening, agents assigned to the Ajo Station discovered 13 bundles of marijuana on a known smuggling trail near Alamo Canyon Road. Agents were patrolling the area when they heard several people running. When agents responded to the location of the noise, they discovered 12 bundles of marijuana. Agents searched the area in an attempt to locate subjects associated with the load, but none were found. The abandoned marijuana, weighing more than 500 pounds and valued at approximately $470,000, was taken to the Ajo Station for processing.

Agents assigned to Tucson sector are committed to reducing the flow of illegal contraband into the country and improving the quality of life for their communities. Technology, such as the MSS, improves the capabilities of agents patrolling in the field. By enhancing agent effectiveness, the Border Patrol can more rapidly identify threats and bring them to an appropriate law enforcement resolution.