Agents from the US Border Patrol and Air and Marine Operations seized more than 1,100 pounds of marijuana, valued in excess of $550,000, Monday morning near Nogales, Arizona, after back-packing smugglers abandoned their loads to avoid apprehension.
After agents operating cameras at the Nogales Border Patrol Station detected 35 suspected drug smugglers cross into the United States, Border Patrol agents along with an Air and Marine Operations helicopter crew responded to investigate. Upon arrival, the aircrew saw smugglers drop their loads and run back to Mexico.