BP seizes more than 2 tons of pot worth $2.3 million

Illegal immigrants apprehended, stolen vehicle found

Posted Sep 26, 2011

Janet Rose Jackman
TucsonSentinel.com

U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionAjo Station agents recovered 143 bundles of marijuana stuffed into the cab and bed of a truck abandoned in the West Desert on Friday night.
U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionBorder Patrol agents found 2,433 pounds of marijuana in this truck on Friday.

Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents seized more than 2 tons of marijuana, two vehicles and three suspected drug smugglers in three incidents over the weekend, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Monday.

Ajo Station agents, with the help of an Office of Air and Marine helicopter, tracked a vehicle driving off-road through the West Desert on Friday night and found the pickup truck abandoned with 143 bundles of pot stuffed into the cab and bed, the Border Patrol said.

The drugs, which weighed 2,433 pounds and worth $1,216,270 were taken to the Ajo Station for processing.

On Saturday night, Ajo Station agents watched a vehicle traveling off-road and a horse patrol unit later discovered it abandoned. The agents found 88 bundles of marijuana in the vehicle, weighing 1,519 pounds and worth $759,360. The vehicle was reported stolen from Glendale, the Border Patrol said.

On Sunday, Casa Grande Station agents patrolling in the West Desert spotted a group of suspected drug smugglers using infrared technology. Agents tracked the group and apprehended three illegal immigrants carrying large backpacks containing marijuana, the Border Patrol said.

The agents found 12 additional bundles in the area. The marijuana, weighing, 751 pounds and worth $375,000, were transported to the Casa Grande Station for processing. The three people were held for prosecution, the Border Patrol said.