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Illegal alien tips Border Patrol to drug-dealing operation
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Illegal alien tips Border Patrol to drug-dealing operation

Suspected traffickers, weapons seized at Phoenix home

An illegal immigrant's apprehension in the west desert Wednesday led to the arrest of suspected drug smugglers and the location of an alleged stash house in the Phoenix area, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Border Patrol agents and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations officers conducted surveillance of an address in Phoenix on Thursday that they were given by the tipster, who was apprehended by Ajo Station agents.

They watched a vehicle leave the house and followed it to a gas station in Pinal County.

Pinal County Sheriff's Office detectives were called in to assist and the driver was arrested. Agents who searched the vehicle found 330 pounds of marijuana.

Detectives from the Pinal County Sheriff's Office and HSI agents arrested one person at the home and seized 20 bundles of marijuana, weighing 440 pounds. They also found a shotgun, a revolver, about 200 rounds of ammunition, scales, ledgers, cash and cellular phones.

The suspects were being held for prosecution on federal charges.

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