Yuma Border Patrol Agents Seize $33,000 in Heroin, $12,000 in Marijuana at Checkpoint

Yuma, Ariz. — Border Patrol agents from Yuma Sector’s Wellton Station seized 2.5 pounds of black tar heroin and nearly 25 pounds of marijuana at a Border Patrol checkpoint yesterday.

Agents assigned to the Interstate 8 checkpoint at mile marker 17 referred a 4-door sedan to secondary inspection following a canine team alert. The driver, a U.S. citizen, consented to a vehicle search. During the search, agents discovered the heroin, valued at more than $33,000, and marijuana worth $12,000. The narcotics, suspect and vehicle were turned over to the Yuma County Narcotics Task Force.

The Border Patrol has made significant progress in combating transnational criminal organizations by impacting their ability to transport contraband deeper into the United States and ensuring smugglers face stiff federal penalties for their actions. In Yuma Sector, the probability of being detected and prosecuted is higher than ever before.

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 official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.