US Customs and Border Protection Press release April 12, 2011:

Border Patrol Agents Interdict a Ton of Marijuana
Narcotics have estimated value of more than $1 million

TUCSON, Ariz. – In two separate incidents yesterday, Border Patrol agents assigned to the Tucson Sector seized a total of 2,069 pounds of marijuana, with an estimated value of $1,034,500.

Border Patrol agents assigned to the Ajo Station’s All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Unit discovered 10 abandoned bundles of marijuana in the West Desert. The marijuana weighing 513 pounds, with an estimated value of $256,500 was seized.

Later that evening, Ajo Station agents conducting joint traffic operations with the Pima County Sheriff’s Department, observed a Chevrolet Tahoe traveling off-road from State Route 85. Agents and deputies responded and interdicted the vehicle west of the highway. A subsequent search of the vehicle yielded 1,556 pounds of marijuana, with an estimated value of $778,000. The law enforcement team apprehended one individual in connection with the smuggling load while conducting a search of the surrounding area. The man, a Mexican national, is awaiting prosecution on federal drug charges. The SUV and the marijuana were seized. (Photos available)

Cooperation with other law enforcement agencies enhances the Border Patrol’s efforts to deny, degrade and disrupt the ability of drug and human smuggling organizations to operate within the Tucson Sector as well as the entire state of Arizona. Additionally, the versatility of specialty units, such as the ATV unit, bolsters the Border Patrol’s effectiveness in remote areas along the border.

In March 2009, the Department of Homeland Security launched the Southwest Border Initiative to bring unprecedented focus and intensity to securing the Southwest border, coupled with a reinvigorated, smart, and effective approach to enforcing our immigration laws.

The Border Patrol welcomes assistance from the community. Report suspicious activity by calling toll free 1-877-872-7435. All calls will be answered and will remain anonymous.

~CBP~

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with management, control and protection of our nation’s borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

COMMENT: It is interesting how much marijuana is being seized around southern Arizona…..wonder how many undocumented aliens the Border Patrol catches per day?

This entry was posted on Tuesday, April 12th, 2011 at 2:13 pm and is filed under border issues, border patrol, border patrol tucson sector, drug smuggling, mexican drug cartels, politics. Tags for this post: border patrol, border patrol tucson sector, drug smuggling. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.