Two Sonoita Station Border Patrol agents working near Patagonia found more than 1,100 pounds of marijuana, worth in excess of $550,000, near a hiking trail Monday afternoon.
Agents walking a known smuggling route south of Patagonia observed debris that appeared to have been deliberately placed in an effort to conceal something on the ground. Upon closer inspection, they discovered the debris was in fact covering 55 bundles of marijuana wrapped in cellophane.
Agents conducted an exhaustive search of the area for footprints or possible suspects. After determining the smugglers were no longer in the area, agents transported the drugs to the Sonoita Station for processing in accordance with Tucson Sector guidelines.