Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents seized five vehicles, more than $1.1 million in narcotics, and apprehended 23 subjects in connection with recent criminal cases.
On July 6, Nogales Border Patrol agents seized a Chevrolet Malibu and arrested two subjects for alien smuggling at the Interstate 19 checkpoint near Tubac, Arizona. Agents discovered an adult female El Salvadorian national locked in the trunk of the sedan.
A couple days later, agents at the same checkpoint arrested a U.S. Citizen driving a Plymouth sedan with two illegal immigrants concealed in the trunk of the car with no means of escape.
On July 9, Willcox Border Patrol agents arrested three subjects traveling in a Chevrolet Silverado for narcotics smuggling at the Highway 80 checkpoint near Tombstone, Arizona. A canine unit initially alerted to the vehicle, and a subsequent search led to the discovery of 37 wrapped bricks of marijuana concealed in a false compartment in the truck’s bed. The seizure was worth more than $119,000.
On July 11, a citizen’s report contributed to the apprehension of a U.S. citizen driving a U-Haul truck near Tucson with seven Mexican nationals in the back of the truck with no means of escape. The Arizona Department of Public Safety assisted agents with the vehicle stop.
Later that evening, Border Patrol agents from Douglas, Arizona arrested a male subject identified as a “Special Interest Alien” from the country of Laos. Record checks revealed the subject was previously removed from the U.S. and has an extensive criminal history with convictions including assault, criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, reckless endangerment, theft, and illegal possession of weapons.
The next day, a Tucson Station Border Patrol agent seized a vehicle and arrested a U.S. citizen for alien smuggling, subsequent to a DPS traffic stop near Tucson. Two illegal immigrants were discovered inside vehicle’s trunk.
That evening, Casa Grande Border Patrol agents seized more than 2,000 pounds of marijuana from a Chevrolet pickup truck abandoned by smugglers near Santa Cruz, Arizona. The narcotic seizure was valued in excess of $1 million. Agents also arrested two subjects in a scout vehicle near Pisinemo, Arizona related to the incident.
All subjects are being presented for prosecution. The drugs and vehicles were processed for seizure in accordance with Tucson Sector guidelines.