YUMA, Ariz. – Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents arrested a male Mexican national — later determined to be in the U.S. illegally — attempting to circumvent the traffic checkpoint on I-8, east of Yuma, Thursday.
Agents observed a pickup truck circumventing the checkpoint by passing through Dome Valley. While following the vehicle, the man began driving erratically and failed to negotiate a turn; crashing into supporting cables of a high-tension power line. The driver fled the scene but was soon apprehended.
During a subsequent search of the vehicle, agents discovered and seized approximately 403 pounds of marijuana, valued at more than $200,000, in the truck’s cabin and inside a tool box in its cargo bed.
The suspect, narcotics and vehicle were processed per Yuma Sector guidelines.