Tucson, Ariz. - In three separate incidents over the weekend, Tucson sector Border Patrol agents seized more than 2,250 pounds of marijuana, valued at more than $1.8 million.
Border Patrol agents assigned to the Nogales station were performing a stop vehicle when to occupants bailed out of the vehicle as agents approached it to question the occupants. A thorough search was conducted by the agents to no avail. Agents inspected the truck and found bundles of marijuana, weighing more than 825 pounds. The vehicle and marijuana, with a value of more than $660,000, were seized and taken to the Nogales station for processing.
In two separate incidents in the Sonoita area of responsibility, agents were sign cutting in the remote desert tracking two separate groups for more than 12 hours on Sunday and seized a total of 30 bundles of marijuana hidden in the brush, weighing a total of more than 1,430 pounds. The marijuana was valued at more than $1.2 million. Agents conducted thorough searches of both areas but were not able to locate the smugglers. The marijuana bundles were transported back to the Sonoita station for processing.
"Tucson Sector agents continue to rely on traditional tracking methods to interdict illegal narcotics from reaching our communities," said Assistant Chief Patrol Agent Mark Rios. "These seizures are evidence that our agents will continue to remain vigilant, even as the Border Patrol makes it more difficult for smugglers to transport narcotics into the interior of the U.S."
The U.S. Border Patrol continues to work tirelessly to protect our communities against the criminal element. Traditional tracking methods continue to be one of the most effective tools used by Border Patrol agents in the field. From Oct. 1, 2009, to Aug. 31, 2010, the Tucson sector Border Patrol seized more than 943,000 pounds of marijuana valued in excess of $754 million.