Skip to main content

An official website of the United States government

Official websites use .gov
A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS
A lock ( ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

  • Archived Content
    In an effort to keep CBP.gov current, the archive contains content from a previous administration or is otherwise outdated.
  1. Home
  2. Newsroom
  3. Local Media Release
  4. Agents Capture Group of 20 People Smuggling Marijuana

Agents Capture Group of 20 People Smuggling Marijuana

Release Date
Fri, 10/27/2017

YUMA, Ariz. – Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents, assisted by an Air and Marine Operations aircrew, apprehended 20 male illegal aliens with more than 300 pounds of marijuana Tuesday night.

Border Patrol agents from the Wellton Station arrested 20 backpackers near Gila Bend, Ariz.
Border Patrol agents from the Wellton Station
arrested 20 backpackers near Gila Bend, Ariz.

Agents using surveillance technology in the desert west of Gila Bend, Arizona spotted the men carrying large backpacks and headed toward Interstate 8. Agents advanced on the group and arrested 11 men from Honduras, eight from Mexico, and one from Nicaragua. The subjects were all wearing camouflage and carpet on their shoes; tactics commonly used by transnational criminal organizations attempting to evade detection.

Agents seized the marijuana, valued at more than $150,000, and arrested the individuals for narcotics smuggling. All subjects and drugs were processed in accordance with Yuma Sector guidelines.

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