Agents seize more than 400 pounds of pot

Yuma Sun
BY JEFFREY GAUTREAUX, SUN STAFF WRITER
Nov 18, 2005

The U.S. Border Patrol made three marijuana seizures valued at more than a quarter-million dollars in total Thursday at Interstate 8 checkpoints around Yuma.

At 8 a.m., a Dodge Caravan entered the westbound I-8 checkpoint near Winterhaven and a drug-sniffing dog alerted to the vehicle, according to a Border Patrol release. Further investigation revealed 48 bundles of marijuana, weighing 143.7 pounds, concealed in the gas tank. The drugs had a street value of $114,960.

Two hours later, the same drug-sniffing dog alerted agents to a Chrysler sedan that entered the checkpoint.

During a search of the vehicle, agents discovered 175.6 pounds of marijuana in 104 packages concealed in various compartments throughout the interior of the car. The marijuana had a street value of $140,480.

"We see this as a sign of effectiveness with our checkpoints in that the narcotics seizures we're making are not just vehicles with large amounts thrown in the back," said Michael Gramley, spokesman for the Border Patrol's Yuma sector. "Smug- glers have to resort to smaller amounts of marijuana in hidden compartments, which is more time-consuming to the smugglers and more costly."

The driver of the Caravan, a U.S. citizen, and the driver of the Chrysler, a lawfully admitted permanent resident alien, are both in custody for pending criminal charges. The drivers, marijuana and vehicles were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

At 7:30 p.m., a 1992 Chevrolet Lumina entered the eastbound I-8 checkpoint east of Yuma and a dog alerted agents to the rear of the vehicle, Gramley said.

On secondary inspection, agents found that the inside of the rear seat, rear door panels and the area below the rear seat were filled with packages of marijuana weighing 92.5 pounds.

The estimated value of the drugs was $74,000. Gramley said the 38-year-old driver of the vehicle was a lawfully admitted permanent resident. The driver, drugs and vehicle were all turned over to the Arizona Department of Public Safety, Gramley said.

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Jeffrey Gautreaux can be reached at jgautreaux@yumasun.com or 539-6858.

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