Yuma Sector Agents Arrest Gang Member, Seize Dope

Monday, January 14, 2008

Yuma, Ariz. – Border Patrol agents assigned to the Yuma Sector’s Wellton Station arrested a confirmed gang member along with seven other smugglers and seized seven bundles of marijuana late Friday evening.

On January 11th, the Wellton Border Patrol Station received information on potential cross-border drug smuggling in the remote “east desert” area. About 7:15 p.m., agents patrolling near Sentinel, Ariz., encountered evidence of a group in the remote desert area. After tracking the group, agents found eight subjects carrying backpacks of marijuana. All eight subjects were arrested and transported to the Wellton Border Patrol Station for further processing.

Further checks revealed one of the individuals is a “foot-soldier” with the Border Brothers gang, who spent five years at the Sheridan Federal Correctional Facility in Oregon and is currently on parole. The subject, Sergio Gonzalez-Martinez, a 38 year old citizen and national of Mexico has an extensive criminal history including aggravated assault, assault/intimidation, burglary, and resisting arrest. Gonzalez-Martinez has been deported four times by U.S. Officials.

The eight men ranged in age from 24 to 40 years old. All were citizens and nationals of Mexico illegally present in the United States.

The total weight of the marijuana was 355 pounds, with an estimated value of $284,000.