Tucson, Ariz. - Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents seized more than 990 pounds of marijuana, valued at more than $792,000, in two separate incidents within 12 hours.
Nogales Station agents, using surveillance equipment at the Interstate 19 Checkpoint, observed a suspicious vehicle driving off road. Agents responded and intercepted the vehicle, which was abandoned, and discovered 20 bundles of marijuana weighing more than 490 pounds. A thorough search of the area was conducted for the smugglers to no avail. The vehicle and marijuana, with an estimated value of more than $393,000, were taken to the Nogales Station for processing.
In a second incident, agents assigned to the Casa Grande Station responded to detection technology deployed in the West Desert and discovered two abandoned vehicles. Agents discovered 26 bundles of marijuana, weighing more than 500 pounds with an estimated value of more than $399,000 inside the vehicles. The vehicles, which were reported stolen, and marijuana were transported to the Casa Grande Station for processing.
"Our agents continue to use technology to gain greater situational awareness in the Tucson Sector," said Assistant Chief Patrol Agent Mark Rios. "The Border Patrol uses technology to compliment the infrastructure and personnel."
The Border Patrol employs technology to greatly enhance the situational awareness of agents in the vast and remote spans of the Sonoran Desert. As a result, the Border Patrol continues to improve in the detection and interception of illegal activity.