November 20, 2008
Tucson, Ariz. - Border Patrol agents Tuesday seized nearly 1,550 pounds of marijuana from a truck pulling a flatbed trailer that entered the United States in a remote area near Sonoita, Ariz.
About 11:25 a.m., Border Patrol agents assigned to the Sonoita Station encountered a Ford pick-up truck pulling a flatbed trailer loaded with steel pipes being driven by a resident alien. While conducting a vehicle stop, a detector canine alerted to the presence of contraband on the flatbed trailer.
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Agents inspected the trailer and discovered that the bed had been hollowed out to create a hidden compartment. Inside the hidden compartment, agents located 59 bundles of marijuana weighing a total of 1,548 pounds estimated at more than $1.2million.
The vehicle, trailer and marijuana were transported to the Sonoita Border Patrol station for processing and will be turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
The driver is facing prosecution for smuggling narcotics.
During fiscal year 2009, which began October 1, Tucson Sector agents have seized 18,814 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $15,051,200. Several of the narcotics seizures are attributed to Border Patrol canines that are highly effective at detecting illicit contraband.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
