September 17, 2007    Arivaca, Arizona
Border Patrol agents find 1,019 pounds of marijuana in an abandoned vehicle

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol Agents from the Tucson Ariz. sector seized a sport utility vehicle loaded with 1,019 pounds of marijuana last week.

An agent assigned to the Tucson Border Patrol Station patrolling near Arivaca, Ariz., Thursday attempted to stop the SUV near Amado, Ariz. after it was spotted heading north away from the international boundary. The SUV failed to yield and fled down a dirt road. Moments later, the vehicle was located after the driver abandoned it. The agent had his canine partner perform a search of the vehicle and the dog immediately alerted to the presence of controlled substances or concealed humans. Border Patrol agents attempted to locate the driver with the assistance of CBP Air interdiction agents from the Tucson air branch.

Inside the SUV, agents discovered 110 bundles of marijuana weighing more than 1,019 pounds. The marijuana has an estimated value of $815,280. No arrests have made in this case and the marijuana and the vehicle were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further disposition.

From October 1, 2006 through August 31, 2007, agents from the Tucson Sector have seized more than 844,872 pounds of marijuana worth more than an estimated $675 million.

Source: US Customs/Border Patrol