In five days, Yuma Border Patrol agents from Wellton and Blythe stations rounded up eight U.S. citizens and 54 illegal aliens, and seized nearly 2,200 pounds of marijuana worth approximately $1,095,500.
Agents on Oct.23 arrested a U.S. citizen for smuggling four Mexican nationals through Dome Valley during an apparent attempt to avoid Wellton Station’s eastbound checkpoint on Interstate 8.
That afternoon, agents arrested four male Mexican nationals south of Gila Bend and seized 532 pounds of marijuana.
Early on Oct. 25, agents again assisted by Yuma’s Air and Marine Operations while patrolling near Camp Grip, apprehended nine male Mexican nationals transporting 313 pounds of marijuana.
Later in the afternoon, agents arrested three male U.S. citizens for transporting 388 pounds of marijuana during an apparent attempt to avoid Wellton Station’s eastbound checkpoint on Interstate 8.
On Oct. 27, Blythe Station agents arrested three U.S. citizens along Interstate 10, near Ehrenberg, for smuggling nearly 17 pounds of marijuana.
Wellton Station agents on the same day arrested five male Mexican nationals near Gila Bend for smuggling 207 pounds of marijuana.
Later that evening, agents and pilots with Air and Marine Operations, Yuma Air Branch, were patrolling near Yuma Sector’s Camp Grip when they intercepted and arrested six Mexican men smuggling 216 pounds of marijuana into the country.
All drugs and vehicles were seized, and the U.S. citizens will be processed for smuggling. The non-citizens will be processed per Yuma Sector guidelines.