TUCSON, AZ (KPHO) -

Border Patrol agents assigned to the Tucson Sector seized 3,159 pounds of marijuana, worth more than $1.5 million, during multiple weekend seizures.

Casa Grande Station agents using detection technology responded to a group of suspected narcotics smugglers Sunday night. With the assistance of a CBP aircraft, agents apprehended 10 people and seized 608 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $304,000. The narcotics were taken to the Ajo Station for further processing. The suspects face possible federal drug charges.

Sunday afternoon, Douglas Station agents responded to a report of a suspicious truck driving off-road, northbound from the international border. Agents approached the vehicle, ordered it to stop, and discovered 441 bricks of marijuana concealed throughout the truck. The bricks, weighing 760 pounds and worth an estimated $380,000, were seized along with the vehicle. The driver, a U.S. citizen, was arrested.

Ajo agents operating mobile surveillance equipment observed a group of suspected narcotics smugglers just north of the border Saturday morning. When agents responded, they found 10 bundles of abandoned marijuana weighing nearly 513 pounds and valued at $256,000.

On Friday, mobile surveillance operators from Douglas notified agents of narcotics smugglers just north of the border. As agents responded, the suspects ran back into Mexico. Coordinated efforts were made with Mexican authorities, who then captured the suspects in possession of 132 pounds of marijuana, agents said.

Also on Friday, Ajo agents assisted by CBP aircraft, located 16 bundles of abandoned marijuana weighing 801 pounds and valued at $400,500.

In a separate incident Friday, Ajo agents apprehended a female U.S. citizen attempting to traffic 223 pounds of marijuana into the United States worth $111,500. Following her arrest, she admitted having an alliance to the “Red Pride” and “Bloods” – California based gangs.

In Nogales, a K-9 team working the Interstate 19 checkpoint Friday discovered 22 pounds of marijuana in a vehicle driven by female U.S. citizen traveling with three underaged children. The occupants were transported to the station for processing. Child Protective Services was notified and the children were turned over to the driver’s mother.

Willcox Station agents attempted to stop a suspicious vehicle traveling north on State Route 90 Friday, but the vehicle fled. With assistance from Arizona Department of Safety, a device to flatten tires was deployed and the vehicle hit a barbed wire fence. The driver fled into the desert. Agents discovered 77 bricks of marijuana inside the vehicle. The vehicle and narcotics were transported to the station for processing. The marijuana, weighing 100 pounds, was valued at $50,000.

The Tucson Sector is a component of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

 

Direct Link: http://www.kpho.com/story/16193266/bordfer-p