Two tons of Marijuana seized in 24 hours by Arizona Border Patrol

Border Patrol agents in Ajo, Ariz. found more than a ton of marijuana being transported into the U.S. via these backpacks.

(Tucson, Ariz) - In two separate incidents in the past 24 hours, U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Ajo, Ariz. station seized marijuana with a combined weight of approximately 4,000 pounds and an estimated value exceeding $3.1 million.

Border Patrol agents in Ajo, Ariz. found more than a ton of marijuana being transported into the U.S. via these backpacks.

Agents from Ajo's all-terrain vehicle unit were tracking footprints of suspected illegal aliens when they discovered abandoned bundles of marijuana fashioned into backpacks. The total weight of the marijuana was more than 2,200 pounds. The contraband was seized and held for processing.

In a second incident, the ATV unit discovered an abandoned vehicle while patrolling west of Lukeville. The vehicle contained numerous bundles of marijuana weighing approximately 1,750 pounds. The vehicle and marijuana were seized and held for processing.

"Credit goes to the men and women of the Ajo Border Patrol Station," stated Acting Patrol Agent in Charge Paul Kuhn. "Their significant efforts at combating narcotics smuggling continues to result in safer neighborhoods and an increased quality of life in our communities."

Border Patrol agents are committed to preventing illegal drugs from reaching our communities. Specialty units, such as the ATV unit, continue to be effective in remote areas near the border normally impassable with standard vehicles. From Oct. 1, 2009, to Aug 31, 2010, the Tucson Sector Border Patrol seized more than 940,000 pounds of marijuana exceeding $752 million in value.
CBP