TUCSON – More than 1,500 pounds of marijuana was seized by Border Patrol agents in the Yuma Sector from a vehicle that illegally entered into the United States. U.S. Customs and Border Protection says the area has inadequate infrastructure.
According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), on Tuesday, at approximately 3:15 p.m., an agent patrolling southeast of Yuma encountered two vehicles traveling away from the U.S./Mexico International Border. As the agent approached the vehicles, both drivers immediately turned around and headed back toward Mexico.
Agents were able to pursue and stop one vehicle, from which they seized the more than 1,500 pounds of marijuana and apprehended one smuggler.
According to CBP, the narcotics had an estimated street value of nearly $618,000. The other vehicle fled back into Mexico. The narcotics and vehicle were seized.
“My agents do an outstanding job patrolling our Area of Responsibility and keeping our local communities safe,” said Yuma Sector Chief Patrol Agent Anthony J. Porvaznik in a press relase. “Incidents like this highlight the need for a wall system along all of our sector’s 126 miles of border to ensure we stay one step ahead of the transnational criminal organizations who are constantly adapting their tactics to avoid apprehension.”