Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents along with state and county authorities arrested a Mexican National for marijuana smuggling and seized over $310K in cocaine during two incidents on Thursday morning.
The first incident occurred when Douglas Station agents attempted to stop the driver of a Nissan Altima near Bisbee, Arizona but the driver sped off. As the driver approached the Brian A. Terry Station’s area of responsibility, Douglas agents requested the assistance of Brian A. Terry agents and of the Arizona Department of Public Safety.
DPS troopers, subsequently pulled the vehicle over on State Route 80 but the driver fled on foot. Agents from both stations conducted an extensive search but were unable to locate the driver. DPS Troopers arrested the male passenger, a Mexican national, for smuggling more than 45 pounds of marijuana.
In a separate incident, Tucson Station agents and Pima County Sheriff’s deputies conducted a vehicle stop on a 2001 Chevy S-10 pickup for traffic violations on Interstate 10 near Marana, Arizona. During the vehicle stop, a PCSO canine alerted to the vehicle and more than 12 kilograms of cocaine were discovered hidden in non-factory compartments. Deputies arrested the Mexican, a male Lawfully Admitted Permanent Resident, driver for narcotic violations.
These seizures and arrests are great examples of effective collaboration between local, state and federal law enforcement, and illustrate the whole-of-government approach that is utilized to disrupt and dismantle Transnational Criminal Organizations involved in illegal cross-border activity.