TUCSON – U.S. Border Patrol agents and a CBP helicopter crew from Air and Marine Operations, arrested five drug smugglers and seized several backpacks of methamphetamine and marijuana, 30 miles east of Lukeville.
Border Patrol detected the smugglers who illegally entered the country at about 7 a.m. Agents tracked the group for approximately one mile north of the international boundary, while AMO units searched from the air.
After a brief search, CBP agents onboard a helicopter spotted the smugglers hiding under brush and guided Border Patrol agents to their location.
Four men from Guatemala, and one from Mexico were arrested. Seven backpacks containing nearly 90 pounds of marijuana and 12 pounds of methamphetamine were discovered in the brush with the men.
The men and drugs were turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement Homeland Security Investigations for further processing and investigation.
U.S. Border Patrol is concerned that this tactic of smuggling methamphetamine on foot through the desert may become a trend for smuggling hard narcotics into the United States. As demand for hard drugs increases, transnational criminal organizations resort to dangerous and diverse smuggling methods to further their deadly enterprise.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials welcome assistance from the community. Individuals can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. Reporting illicit activity could result in saving someone’s life.
