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  4. Border Patrol Agents Uncover Marijuana in Arizona Sand Dunes

Border Patrol Agents Uncover Marijuana in Arizona Sand Dunes

Release Date
Tue, 02/16/2010

Yuma, Ariz. - Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents found more than 40 pounds of marijuana buried in the Imperial Sand Dunes Sunday.

At about 6:30 p.m., Border Patrol agents assigned to the All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Unit detected the vehicle tracks of a "sand rail" off road vehicle which had parked next to the International Boundary fence. Agents observed footprints on the south side of the fence which indicated possible illegal activity. Agents followed the "sand rail's" tracks for about 200 yards north into the dunes, where they located six bundles of marijuana that had been buried in the sand. ATV agents secured the marijuana and followed the tracks of the "sand rail" further into a popular camping area, but were unable to locate it or its occupants due to the high level of weekend traffic.

The six bundles contained marijuana with a total weight of approximately 40 pounds and an estimated street value of $32,360. The marijuana was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Since October 1, 2009, the Yuma Sector Border Patrol has prevented more than six tons of marijuana from entering the United States.

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