Arrests and Seizures are Evidence of Border Patrol Success in Ariz.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Tucson, Ariz. — Border Patrol agents assigned to the Tucson sector area made arrests and drug seizures yesterday that provide evidence of greater operational control achieved through sound strategy.

On March 11, 2008 at approximately 5 p.m., agents assigned to the Nogales Border Patrol Station arrested 60 subjects hiding in a small home in Rio Rico. All 60 people were found be Mexican Nationals that had illegally entered the United States.

Five men are being held in service custody pending prosecution for alien smuggling. Additionally, three vehicles were seized for their use in the smuggling scheme.

At approximately 8 p.m. the same evening, a large drug seizure was made at the I-19 checkpoint. A Border Patrol agent, also assigned to the Nogales Station, and his service canine partner discovered that a red tractor trailer carrying vegetables contained 78 bundles of marijuana concealed among the cargo. The bundles, weighing nearly 1,700 pounds, and the driver were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for prosecution.

Early this morning, a Border Patrol service canine alerted to the possibility of contraband concealed in yet another tractor trailer at the I-19 checkpoint. Border Patrol agents discovered 124 bundles of marijuana, weighing almost 2,700 pounds, concealed between pallets of squash and bell peppers. The driver and the marijuana were also transferred to Drug Enforcement Administration custody for prosecution.

The 60 arrests from a single residence and the two drug seizures highlight the growing operational control of the border region, which is being achieved through the dedicated efforts of agents working under an effective mission strategy. As smuggling organizations attempt to change their patterns and methods, the Border Patrol’s tactics in this area continue to interrupt their operations. In the last five months, Tucson Sector agents have made 112,070 apprehensions and seized 191 tons of marijuana.