November 13, 09

NEWS / Border Patrol Technology Helps Thwart Marijuana Smuggling Attempt

Wellton, Ariz. – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Wellton, Ariz. station seized $360,000 worth of marijuana today while tracking suspected drug smugglers in a desolate area of southwest Arizona.


Border Patrol agents operating a Mobile Surveillance System ground-based radar unit detected a group of 11 individuals traveling north from the international boundary at approximately 5:30 a.m. Agents utilized an infrared system to visually confirm that the individuals were each carrying a large backpack.


Agents responded to the area and were able to track and apprehend the 11 subjects. Each subject was carrying a backpack loaded with marijuana. The total weight of marijuana seized is 450 pounds with an estimated street value of $360,000.


The marijuana and the seven adult males in the group were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The four juveniles were transported to the Wellton Station for processing under the guidelines of Operation Streamline.


The Border Patrol utilizes a multi-layered enforcement approach to prevent potential threats from entering the interior of the country while identifying vulnerabilities at the immediate border. Since October 1, 2008, Border Patrol agents have seized more than 52,000 pounds of marijuana in Yuma Sector.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/11122009_2.xml