January 01, 2008  Yuma, Arizona
Yuma Sector Border Patrol arrest 2 of 3 subjects with 1,619 lbs of marijuana

Border Patrol agents assigned to the Yuma Sector's Wellton Station, seized a vehicle containing 55 bundles of marijuana and arrested two of the occupants on Tuesday night.

About 12:55 a.m., agents assigned to Yuma Sector's remote Desert Camp Grip discovered that a vehicle had made an illegal entry into the United States. Agents began tracking the vehicle into the Barry M. Goldwater Bombing Range.

A Customs and Border Protection Air & Marine pilot was able locate the vehicle around 9:26 p.m., in the BMGR's hazardous North Tac Bombing Range.

Responding ground agents, found the vehicle loaded with 55 bundles of marijuana and evidence of three subjects. Agents tracked the group north and were able to arrest two of the subjects. The third individual was not found. Records checks on the vehicle revealed it had been stolen out of Glendale, Arizona in August 2006.

The total weight of the marijuana was 1,619 pounds worth an estimated $1.3 million.

Both subjects were citizens and nationals of Mexico. One subject was in possession of a valid Border Crossing Card and the other was an illegal alien who was previously deported from the United States.

The vehicle, subjects, and marijuana were turned over to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office Task Force.

Source: U.S. Customs/Border Patrol