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  4. Border Patrol agents thwart two drug smuggling attempts; arrest 10

Border Patrol agents thwart two drug smuggling attempts; arrest 10

Release Date
Tue, 01/30/2018

YUMA, Ariz. – Border Patrol agents from Wellton Station’s Target Enforcement Unit arrested two groups of illegal aliens, and seized nearly 350 pounds of marijuana in two separate incidents on Friday and Saturday.

Border Patrol agents thwart two drug smuggling attempts; arrest 10
Border Patrol agents thwart two drug
smuggling attempts; arrest 10

In the first incident on Friday, agents tracked a group of five individuals to a location southwest of Gila Bend, Arizona. Upon arresting the group, agents discovered five backpacks containing more than 200 pounds of marijuana worth more than $100,000.

The second incident occurred on Saturday near the same location. Agents tracked and apprehended a group of five individuals attempting to smuggle marijuana into the United States. Agents seized nearly 140 pounds of marijuana found in makeshift backpacks, which is estimated to be worth more than $69,000.

The Wellton Station’s Target Enforcement Unit is a specialized team of agents that operates in high traffic areas of human and drug smuggling. The ultimate goal of the unit is to disrupt and degrade transnational criminal organizations operating within Wellton Station’s area of responsibility.

All subjects and drugs will be processed per Yuma Sector guidelines.

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 may remain anonymous.

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