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Press Release - Tucson Sector PIO
November 17, 2004U.S. Border Patrol Slams the Brakes on Another Smuggling Attempt Over $1 million in marijuana seized
Tucson, AZ -- On November 16, 2004, agents assigned to the Casa Grande Border Patrol Station arrested a drug smuggler and seized a black SUV with 1442 pounds of marijuana.
At approximately 10:00 a.m., Border Patrol Agents received information that there was a possible vehicle intrusion at the International Boundary just southwest of Cowlic, Arizona. Both drug and human smugglers frequently utilize this area. As the agents approached the location, they observed two vehicles leaving the area. Both vehicles, a white Dodge Durango and a black Ford Expedition, had their rear windows painted black, in an effort to appear to be tinted, while not allowing the agents to see inside. This tactic is common among drug smugglers. As the lead vehicle, the Durango, encountered the marked Border Patrol truck, it immediately turned into the desert, in an attempt to divert the agent's attention away from the Expedition. Knowing this tactic, the agents did not follow the Durango, but instead began to follow the Expedition. Upon seeing the agents following the Expedition, the Durango turned around and rammed the Border Patrol Agents vehicle. The ramming did not disable the agent's vehicle, but did allow the Expedition to get out of sight.
The agents immediately requested air support, and in a few minutes a Border Patrol OH-6 helicopter was on scene. The OH-6 located the Expedition and followed it, until the Expedition stopped due to engine failure. The pilot immediately landed and dropped off the Borstar Agent on board. The Borstar Agent arrested the driver, a 22-year-old male illegal alien from Mexico, and secured the scene. The Durango, was later seen crossing back in to Mexico near the initial point of entry.
Inside the Expedition, agents found 95 bundles of marijuana, weighing 1,442 pounds, and estimated at $1.15 million. The marijuana, Expedition, and driver were turned over to the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
Since the beginning of the fiscal year (10/01/04), the Tucson Sector has seized over 28 tons of marijuana, worth over $45.8 million. This is a 23% increase over last years 23 tons of marijuana for the same time period. The Border Patrol is a division of the U.S. Bureau of Customs and Border Protection, a new agency within the Department of Homeland Security, responsible for managing and securing our nation's borders.
~CBP~
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