Yuma Sector Arrests Smugglers and Seizes Drugs

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Yuma, Ariz. – Border Patrol agents assigned to the Yuma Sector’s Wellton Station seized five bundles of marijuana and arrested six smugglers early Tuesday morning.

On January 15th, Border Patrol agents patrolling about 70 miles southeast of Wellton discovered footprints indicating sign of an illegal entry near the Crater Mountains.

While agents tracked the footprints, they discovered two bundles of marijuana at approximately 2:30 a.m. Agents secured the bundles and continued following the group. As the agents continued, an additional three bundles of marijuana, about a quarter mile northeast of the first two, were found.

At about 12:20 p.m., agents arrested three individuals. After further assessment of the scene, agents determined that there were three outstanding subjects who had fled on to an active bombing range. Agents notified range operations, and military training operations were immediately shut down. At approximately 1:20 p.m., agents found and arrested the three outstanding smugglers. All six smugglers and narcotics were transported to the Wellton Station for further processing.

All subjects were citizens and nationals of Mexico illegally present in the United States.

The total weight of the marijuana was 261 pounds, with an estimated value of $209,000.