TACNA – Agents assigned to Wellton Border Patrol Station’s Field Training Unit (FTU) apprehended seven illegal aliens and seized approximately 200 pounds of marijuana while patrolling the rugged terrain on the Cabeza Prieta Wildlife Refuge.
On October 4, FTU agents received information that Border Patrol agents assigned to Camp Grip were tracking a group near the training unit’s position on the south side of Sunday pass. The FTU picked up the sign and began tracking the group. Several hours later, the agents located one individual hiding at the foot of a mountain. The remaining agents continued to track the group, scaling some 1,700 feet up the side of the mountain to its peak where they located six more individuals hiding under brush. A search of the immediate area revealed six make-shift marijuana-filled backpacks hidden under rocks. The drugs were valued at $100,000. All members of the group of aliens were identified as Mexican nationals in the U.S. illegally.
All of the illegal aliens and the drugs will be processed per Yuma Sector guidelines.
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 or until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
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 can remain anonymous.
Two meth smugglers thwarted by CBP in Nogales
TUCSON – Customs and Border Protection officers arrested a 25-year-old Sahuarita, Arizona woman and a 17-year-old Mexican man involved in separate attempts to smuggle approximately $104,000 worth of methamphetamine through the Port of Nogales.
Officers working at the Mariposa crossing with a CBP narcotics-detection canine apprehended a woman Oct. 5 after finding more than 33 pounds of meth, valued at almost $100,000, in the floor of her Chevy sedan.
On Oct. 4, officers working at the Dennis DeConcini pedestrian crossing selected a Mexican teen for additional questioning and found almost 1.5 pounds of meth, worth close to $4,400, concealed within the groin area of his clothing.
Officers seized the drugs and vehicle, and turned both subjects over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
Nogales CBP busts smuggler with $55K in meth
TUCSON – Customs and Border Protection officers arrested a 36-year-old Nogales, Arizona man Monday after finding $55,000 worth of methamphetamine – approximately 18 pounds – in the rocker panels of his Honda sedan at the Dennis DeConcini crossing in Nogales.
Officers seized the drugs and vehicle, and turned the subject over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.
