Border Patrol arrests 7 with criminal pasts

Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents arrested seven suspected illegal immigrants with criminal pasts and seized more than 1,500 pounds of marijuana since Friday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Monday.

In five incidents over the weekend, Naco, Nogales, Casa Grande and Tucson station agents apprehended seven men with criminal histories ranging from drug affiliations, burglary, drug possession and sexual offenses.

On Sunday, Naco Sation agents arrested a 27-year-old man from Mexico for illegally entering the country. A background check revealed he is a convicted aggravated felon and he admitted to being a member of the Saints Gang in Chicago. He was held fro criminal prosecution.

On Saturday, agents from the Nogales Station agents apprehended a 26-year-old Mexican man with a conviction for burglary in Washington State, for which he served 74 months in prison. The subject also had from warrant Washington for eluding law enforcement and reckless endangerment and admitted he is a member of the Sureño street gang.

Nogales Station agents also arrested a 34-year-old Mexican man with felony convictions for possession of a controlled substance. He also admitted to being a Sureño member

Both men were held for prosecution.

Also on Saturday, A 35-year-old Guatemalan national was apprehended by Naco agents. The man has a conviction for a sexual offense against a minor in Maryland in 2008. He had a prior removal from Phoenix this year. He was held for prosecution.

Casa Grande Station agents on Saturday apprehended two men for illegally entering the United States. A records check revealed both were convicted sex offenders.

The first man is a 31-year-old Mexican national who has four convictions for indecent liberties with a child and has a prior conviction for felony assault in Washington state.

The other man, a 40-year-old Mexican national, was convicted in Oregon for two counts of attempted sexual abuse and has a prior conviction for felony coercion.

Both men arrested by Casa Grande agents had prior removals and were held for prosecution.

On Friday night, Tucson Station agents apprehended a 20-year-old Mexican man for illegally entering the United States. He admitted to being a member of the MS-13 gang and was held for prosecution.

Agents also were busy with marijuana seizures over the weekend. More than 1,500 pounds of marijuana worth more than 760,000 were confiscated in three incidents.

Sunday night, Willcox Station agents found an abandoned pickup truck with 14 bundles of marijuana inside. The marijuana and vehicle were seized and transported to the Willcox Station for processing. The pot weighed 343 pounds and is worth $171,350.

Ajo Station agents tracked suspected drug smugglers in the desert Sunday. ATV-unit agents discovered 589 pounds of abandoned marijuana worth an estimated $294,500. The drugs were taken to the station for processing.

On Saturday, Ajo Station agents tracked suspected drug smugglers in the desert and found 590 pounds of marijuana. One of the suspects was arrested.

The suspect and drugs, worth an estimated $295,000, were to the Ajo Station for processing.