Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents seized more than 1,200 pounds of marijuana, valued at approximately $605,400, and arrested eight narcotic smugglers since the end of January.
On Jan. 31, at the State Route 80 checkpoint near Tombstone, Ariz., agents arrested a subject attempting to smuggle 10 bricks of marijuana concealed in the factory air conditioner unit and speaker box of a Chevrolet Suburban. The seizure was worth approximately $5,500.
The following day, agents stopped a GMC truck transporting more than 123 pounds of marijuana. The driver was also in possession of small amounts of methamphetamine, drug paraphernalia, and prescription drugs.
On two separate incidents in the first week of February, two drivers failed to yield during agents’ attempts to conduct vehicle stops. The first incident occurred Feb. 2 near mile marker 283 on I-10; resulting in the apprehension of 11 illegal immigrants. The second incident occurred two days later in Douglas, Ariz., when agents stopped a vehicle with 149 pounds of marijuana in the trunk.
Douglas Border Patrol agents stopped the driver of a Chevrolet Tahoe on Feb. 5 and discovered seven bundles of marijuana, worth almost $82,000; a loaded .44 magnum revolver; and six rounds of ammunition.
Later that day, agents at the State Route 191 checkpoint stopped a Ford F-250 pickup truck with two subjects attempting to smuggle more than 139 pounds of marijuana and 45 rounds of ammunition.
The largest seizure of the week occurred on Feb. 6 in Sonoita, Ariz., north of Gardner Canyon Road. Agents found two illegal immigrants and seized 12 bundles of marijuana weighing 624 pounds.
All subjects were arrested and are being presented for prosecution. The drugs, vehicles, weapon and ammunition were processed for seizure in accordance with Tucson Sector guidelines.