December 3, 2004
Marijuana Smuggling Attempt Spoiled -- Pursuit ends in Arrest
Photos will be posted when they become available
from the Ajo station
Tucson, AZ -- Yesterday, Border Patrol Agents assigned to the Ajo Station seized nearly 1500 pounds of marijuana on the Tohono O'odham Nation. At approximately 1:00 p.m., agents on motorcycles and all terrain vehicles (ATV) began tracking a vehicle they suspected of driving into the United States illegally near Papago Farms. The agents tracked the vehicle as it made its way north from the border along jeep trails. Sensing that the vehicle could possibly be miles ahead of them, the agents requested the assistance of a Border Patrol fixed wing aircraft.
The Border Patrol aircraft searched the area and located a white construction work truck making its way through the desert onto westbound State Route 86 near San Simon. Agents on the ground responded to the area as the BP aircraft kept a close watch on the white truck and updated agents. Agents encountered the white truck at the intersection of SR 86 and Federal Route 1. Observing the presence of the agents, the driver of the white truck turned southbound onto FR1 and accelerated toward the border. The agents attempted to conduct a vehicle stop on the white truck, but the driver ignored the agent's vehicle lights and siren, continuing to accelerate to approximately 100 miles-per-hour. The agents terminated the pursuit while the BP aircraft continued to keep the white truck under surveillance.
Working with the pilot of the BP aircraft, agents on the ground deployed a Controlled Tire Deflation Device (CTDD) on FR-1 near milepost 3 in an attempt to bring the white truck to a stop. The CTDD successfully deflated two tires. The white truck then drove off the roadway into the desert, and traveled a short distance before it became disabled due to the deflated tires and came to a stop. The BP aircraft guided agents on the ground toward the white truck's location. Two smugglers exited the truck and ran to avoid being apprehended. With the assistance of the BP aircraft, agents apprehended one of the smugglers, a male 38-year-old illegal alien from Mexico. The other smuggler was tracked, but crossed into Mexico before agents could locate him/her. Inside the cab, rear seat area, and hidden underneath cement bags in the rear cargo compartment agents discovered 93 bundles of marijuana.
Record checks on the white truck revealed that it had been reported stolen out of Las Vegas, Nevada. The truck had also apparently been involved in a homicide where the owner of the truck had been murdered.
The marijuana, with a total weight of 1,472 pounds and a value of $1.1 million, was turned over to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The marijuana and the suspect were turned over to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration. The white truck was remanded to the Pima County Sheriff's Office.
Since the start of Fiscal Year 2005, (10/01/04) Tucson Sector Border Patrol Air Operations has assisted with the seizure of over 8,400 pounds of marijuana. In FY 2004, Air Operations seized over 53,800 pounds of marijuana worth approximately $43 million. Air Operations was also directly responsible for the arrest of over 41,300 illegal aliens during FY 2004, and 6,400 apprehensions so far this year.
Photos will be posted when they become available
from the Ajo station
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.
