Border Patrol Agents Recover Stolen Vehicle, Seize Marijuana

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Yuma, Ariz. – Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents recovered a stolen vehicle, seized 826 pounds of marijuana and arrested the driver, after he fled on foot Monday.

Border Patrol agents assigned to the Wellton Station were patrolling Highway 85 near Gila Bend, Ariz. when they encountered a 2001 Ford Windstar. Upon seeing the agents, the driver, Jesus Salas-Lizarraga, bailed out of the vehicle and ran into the desert. While apprehending the driver, agents discovered a second vehicle, a 2006 Chevy Trailblazer that had been abandoned.A search of the Windstar revealed five bundles of marijuana weighing 339 pounds. In the Trailblazer they discovered 23 bundles of marijuana that weighted 487 pounds. The estimated total value of the marijuana was more than $660,000. A record check of the Trailblazer revealed that it was stolen out of San Diego, Calif.

Record checks revealed that Jesus Salas-Lizarraga, driver of the Windstar, had been previously deported from the United States. He has also been previously arrested for armed robbery with a deadly weapon and vehicle theft. He is being prosecuted by the United States Border Patrol.