YUMA – Border Patrol agents from Wellton Station’s Target Enforcement Unit (TEU) arrested two groups of illegal aliens, and seized nearly 350 pounds of marijuana in two separate incidents on Friday, January 26, 2018 and Saturday, January 27, 2018. In the first incident on Friday, agents tracked a group of five individuals to a location southwest of Gila Bend, Arizona. Upon arresting the group, agents discovered five backpacks containing more than 200 pounds of marijuana worth over $100,000. The second incident occurred on Saturday near the same location. Border Patrol agents tracked and apprehended another group of five individuals attempting to smuggle marijuana into the United States. Agents seized nearly 140 pounds of marijuana found in makeshift backpacks, which is estimated to be worth more than $69,000. The Wellton Station’s Target Enforcement Unit is a specialized team of agents that operates in high traffic areas of human and drug smuggling. The ultimate goal of TEU is to disrupt and degrade transnational criminal organizations operating within Wellton Station’s area of responsibility. All subjects and drugs will be processed per Yuma Sector guidelines.
Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents effectively combat smuggling organizations attempting to illegally transport people and contraband through Southwestern Arizona and California. Citizens can help the Border Patrol and U.S. Customs and Border Protection by calling 1-866-999-8727 toll-free to report suspicious activity. Callers may remain anonymous.-CBP-U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP’s mission includes keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws. Follow us on Twitter @CBPArizona.
