BP seizes pot, weapons, ammo

Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents seized 1,861 pounds of marijuana, two firearms, more than 200 rounds of ammunition, radios and cell phones in five incidents over the weekend, U.S. Customs and Border Protection said Monday.

Casa Grande Station agents watched a truck driving on a dirt road through the desert with its headlights off early Saturday morning. When agents tried to stop the vehicle, the driver drove off-road, the Border Patrol said.

Agents found the truck abandoned and discovered 59 bundles of marijuana weighing 1,250 pounds and worth an estimated $1 million inside. The vehicle and narcotics were seized and transported to the Casa Grande Station for processing.

Also on Saturday, Douglas agents responded to a call about a suspicious vehicle west of Douglas. Agents stopped a pick-up truck driven by a resident of Guaymas, Sonora, who had illegally entered the United States, the Border Patrol said.

A canine alerted agents to possible drugs in the truck and agents found 131 bundles of marijuana hidden in the seats and cab. The drugs weighed 611 pounds and have an estimated value of $305,500, the Border Patrol said.

The driver was arrested and the vehicle and narcotics were taken  to the Douglas Station for processing.

Ajo Station agents arrested a U.S. citizen and four illegal immigrants Saturday who were found with an AK-47 assault rifle, a fully loaded 30-round magazine, a solar panel, several radios and cell phones, the Border Patrol said in a press release.

Smugglers often use solar panels to power their communication devices in remote areas of the border, the Border Patrol said.

The people were arrested after agents stopped their vehicle south of the Border Patrol checkpoint on S.R. 85 and agents discovered the stash. They were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, along with the weapon, ammunition and the other items.

Also on Saturday, Casa Grande Station agents arrested a U.S. citizen attempting to smuggle 100 rounds of 7.62-caliber and 100 rounds of .38-caliber ammunition into Mexico. The vehicle, driver and ammunition were turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for processing, the Border Patrol said.

On Sunday, Tucson Station agents conducting checkpoint operations on S.R. 86 seized a loaded .45-caliber semi-automatic handgun after a records check revealed the weapon was reported stolen. The gun was turned over to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, the Border Patrol said.