During two separate seizures yesterday near the Cabeza Prieta Wildlife Refuge, Yuma Sector agents seized a combined 527 pounds of marijuana worth nearly $265,000.
Agents observed a group of individuals carrying square-shaped camouflaged backpacks northbound through the desert. With assistance from an Office of Air and Marine Yuma Air Branch aircrew, agents found seven men hiding in brush next to six large backpacks containing 283 pounds of marijuana valued in excess of $141,500. The subjects admitted to entering the U.S. illegally and were turned over to the Pima County Sherriff’s Office, along with the marijuana.
In another incident, agents found five abandoned backpacks filled with a total of 244 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $123,000. The marijuana was processed per Yuma Sector guidelines.