Wellton, Ariz. - U.S. Border Patrol agents seized several bundles of marijuana and arrested a drug smuggler Tuesday at the checkpoint on Interstate 8 near Dateland, Ariz.
Border Patrol agents assigned to the Wellton station encountered a woman driving a Pontiac Grand Prix at the checkpoint's primary inspection area just after midnight. A Border Patrol canine team alerted to the vehicle, indicating the likely presence of narcotics or people hidden inside the vehicle. Agents referred the vehicle for secondary inspection where they discovered eight plastic-wrapped bundles of marijuana hidden inside the Pontiac's spare tire.
Agents seized approximately 34 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $27,440.
Agents arrested the woman and turned her over to the Yuma County Narcotics Taskforce along with the vehicle and marijuana.
Since Oct. 1, 2009, Yuma Sector agents have seized nearly 25,000 pounds of marijuana.