Friday, November 11, 2011

Yuma Border Patrol Agents Arrest Seven Suspected Smugglers, Seize Marijuana

Yuma, Ariz. – U.S. Border Patrol agents from Yuma Sector, a component of Customs and Border Protection’s Joint Field Command – Arizona, apprehended seven individuals and seized nearly 245 pounds of marijuana this morning.

Wellton Station agents, patrolling near Sentinel, noticed a group of individuals traversing the desert terrain carrying backpacks. Agents approached the group and encountered seven individuals. All admitted to being illegally present in the United States and carrying backpacks of marijuana.

The marijuana, worth an estimated $122,155, and the subjects were turned over to the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office.

CBP announced the JFC-AZ in February 2011 as an organizational realignment that brings together the U.S. Border Patrol, Air and Marine, and Field Operations in Arizona under a unified command structure. JFC-AZ integrates CBP’s border security, commercial enforcement and trade facilitation missions to more effectively meet the unique challenges faced in Arizona.

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

No comments: