Agents Seize Meth, Pot Valued in Excess of $275,000

Yuma, Ariz. – U. S. Border Patrol agents from Yuma Sector Border Patrol’s Wellton Station seized approximately four pounds of methamphetamine and 432 pounds of marijuana in unrelated incidents.

Agents working the I-8 checkpoint at mile marker 78 referred a silver sedan for a secondary inspection April 19. After receiving consent to search the vehicle, agents found four clear plastic bags of methamphetamine concealed in the vehicle’s intake manifold.

The drugs, worth about $62,000, and the suspect, a U.S. citizen, were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

Agents assigned to Camp Grip, Yuma Sector’s forward operating base, detected footprints made by individuals traveling through the desert April 21. Agents followed the footprints leading to the discovery of eight makeshift backpacks hidden in brush and filled with marijuana. The marijuana, worth an estimated $216,000, was seized for destruction. Three individuals were later arrested and processed for removal from the U.S.

Checkpoints play a vital role in the Border Patrol's ability to restrict routes of egress from border areas, impacting smugglers’ ability to transport contraband deeper into the United States. Border Patrol agents have made significant progress toward establishing a secure and safe border environment while improving the quality of life for Arizona’s communities.

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.