US Customs and Border Protection Press Release March 28, 2011:

Sonoita Border Patrol Agents Seize $2.2 Million in Drugs in San Rafael Valley

SONOITA, Ariz. –Sonoita Border Patrol agents seized more than 4,479 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $2.24 million. The seizures occurred during six different incidents in the San Rafael Valley and surrounding mountains March 20-26.

In several of the incidents, drug smugglers used various tactics to avoid detection. In one instance, the smuggler attempted to exploit wild fire fighting efforts in the Patagonia Mountains by blending in with citizens evacuating the area. In other incidents, smugglers used stolen and modified vehicles with false compartments used to conceal narcotics.

The Border Patrol regularly adapts and shifts resources to mitigate smuggling activity by using the proper mix of technology, manpower and infrastructure to enhance the ability of agents and to expedite their response times to isolated areas such as the San Rafael Valley.

Since Oct. 1, 2010, the Border Patrol in Tucson Sector has seized more than 541,570 pounds of marijuana worth more than $270.7 million.

The Department of Homeland Security has pursued a reinvigorated border security strategy with an unprecedented sense of urgency, making historic investments in personnel, technology and infrastructure while combating transnational criminal organizations that smuggle weapons, cash and people across our shared border with Mexico.

The Border Patrol continues to rely on the community to assist. Suspicious activity can be reported by calling 1-877-872-7435. All calls will be answered and will remain anonymous.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, March 30th, 2011 at 9:28 am and is filed under border issues, border patrol, border patrol tucson sector, drug smuggling, mexican drug cartels, politics. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.