Ajo Border Patrol Agents Seize $148K of Marijuana

TUCSON Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents from the Ajo Station apprehended three Phoenix residents in a BMW SUV at the State Route 85 Immigration Checkpoint after finding more than $148,000 worth of marijuana in the vehicle.

Agents referred the driver for a secondary inspection of the vehicle after a Border Patrol canine alerted to an odor it was trained to detect. While searching the SUV, agents found eight large bundles of marijuana in the rear cargo area.

The male driver and two female passengers, all U.S. citizens, were arrested for drug smuggling and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.

Federal law allows agents to charge individuals by complaint, a method that allows the filing of charges for criminal activity without inferring guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless and until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. All calls will be answered and remain anonymous.