Border Patrol seizes more than 3 tons of pot
Drugs, worth nearly $3.3M, found in four incidents over weekend
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U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionAjo Station agents found 85 bundles of marijuana, weighing 1,820 pounds and worth $910,000, in a pickup truck concealed by a tarp Saturday in the West Desert. -
U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionBorder Patrol agents from the Ajo station discovered 1,220 pounds of marijuana, worth $610,000, abandoned by suspected drug smugglers Sunday who fled into the West Desert.
Border Patrol agents seized more than 3 tons of marijuana, worth nearly $3.3 million, in four incidents over the weekend.
Naco Station agents received a tip from a citizen about a suspicious vehicle in the Hereford area Friday. After searching the area, agents found an abandoned SUV stuffed with 76 bundles of pot, weighing 1,700 pounds and worth $850,000.
The SUV was reported stolen out of New Mexico and turned over to the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office.
On Saturday, Ajo Station agents and a CBP Office of Air and Marine helicopter responded to a report of a suspicious vehicle traveling in the West Desert. Agents found an abandoned pickup truck concealed by a tarp that contained 85 bundles of marijuana, weighing 1,820 pounds and worth $910,000.
The drugs and truck, which was reported stolen out of Phoenix, were turned over to the Tohono O’odham Police Department.
Early Sunday morning, Ajo Station agents using a mobile surveillance system, saw several suspected drug smugglers walking in the West Desert. Agents discovered 1,220 pounds of marijuana, worth $610,000, abandoned by the suspects when they fled ahead of the agents.
The marijuana was seized and was to be turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
That night, agents working in the West Desert observed a vehicle driving off-road through the desert. A short time later, agents found the vehicle abandoned in a wash.
Agents discovered 77 bundles of marijuana in the vehicle and four more bundles nearby. The 81 bundles weighed 1,850 pounds and were worth $925,000.
The marijuana and vehicle, which was reported stolen out of Phoenix, were turned over to the Tohono O’odham Police Department.
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