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Almost 320 Lbs of Marijuana Found on Tour Bus

Release Date
Thu, 09/21/2017

TUCSON, Ariz. – Willcox Station Border Patrol agents at the Highway 80 immigration checkpoint near Tombstone arrested two drivers of a Mexican tour bus Wednesday night after finding close to 320 pounds of marijuana in a hidden, aftermarket compartment.

Smugglers used an aftermarket compartment to hide a load of marijuana
Smugglers used an aftermarket
compartment to hide a load of
marijuana

Agents referred the bus for an immigration inspection of the occupants, all identified as Mexican nationals.

During the inspection, a Border Patrol canine alerted to an odor it was trained to detect emitting from the rear of the bus. When agents searched the area, they found a hidden compartment behind a cabinet next to the toilet with 264 bricks of marijuana inside.

Agents arrested both male drivers, ages 26 and 32, for drug smuggling. The marijuana, worth in excess of $159,000, and bus were seized. The passengers were driven to a nearby business to await alternative transportation.

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