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  4. 2 Teens Face Prosecution for Air Cannon Smuggling Attempt

2 Teens Face Prosecution for Air Cannon Smuggling Attempt

Release Date
Fri, 12/09/2016

TUCSON, Ariz. – On Dec. 7, after Border Patrol agents using multi-surveillance capabilities detected what appeared to be drugs being launched from Mexico into Naco, Arizona, two agents responded to investigate.

When agents arrived at the reported location, they discovered two juvenile U.S. citizens with a bundle of marijuana believed to have been fired from an air cannon in Mexico. The bundle, weighing about 34 pounds, was molded into a cylindrical shape approximately the diameter to fit in a 55-gallon drum.

Border Patrol agents seized the narcotics and turned the two juveniles over to the Cochise County Attorney for prosecution under Operation Immediate Consequence.

“Smuggling organizations often take advantage of teens, lying to them about their chances of being prosecuted for their roles in smuggling attempts,” said Patrol Agent in Charge of the Brian A. Terry Border Patrol Station Michael Hyatt. “In many cases, they do not realize the true consequences of their actions.”

If convicted in this case, the juveniles face 18 months of incarceration.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021