Pat Dollard

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KVOA.
TUCSON – More than $1.8 million worth of marijuana was seized by Border Patrol agents in the Tucson Sector this weekend in three separate incidents.

Border Patrol agents performed a vehicle stop at the Nogales Station this weekend, and the occupants of the truck bailed out as agents approached to question them, according to a release from U.S. Customs and Border Enforcement.

Agents searched the area, but were unable to locate the occupants, the release stated. They proceeded to inspect the truck, and found bundles of marijuana weighing more than 825 pounds. The vehicle and the drugs were valued at more than $660,000, and were seized by Border Patrol agents.

Agents in the Sonoita area were tracking two separate groups of suspected drug smugglers for 12 hours on Sunday, according to the press release. While searching the area, agents located 30 bundles of marijuana hidden in the brush, with a combined weight of over 1,430 pounds. The drugs were valued at more than $1.2 million.

Agents conducted searched of both areas of suspected trafficking activity, but were unable to locate the smugglers, the release stated. The bundles were seized and transported to the Sonoita Station for processing.

“Tucson Sector agents continue to rely on traditional tracking methods to interdict illegal narcotics from reaching our communities,” said Assistant Chief Patrol Agent Mark Rios. “These seizures are evidence that our agents will continue to remain vigilant.”

Between Oct. 1, 2009 and August 31, 2010, the Tucson Sector Border Patrol seized more than 943,000 pounds of marijuana valued in excess of $754 million.