$345,000 in marijuana seized Wednesday

U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Yuma Sector's Wellton Station recovered 690 pounds of marijuana in two separate incidents Wednesday. The drugs are valued at $345,000.

In the first incident, during the early morning hours, agents detained a group of 10 Mexican nationals who had been carrying large bundles of marijuana through the desert south of Gila Bend.

According to Agent Kyle Estes, Yuma Sector Border Patrol public affairs officer, an agent using night vision equipment spotted the group and directed other agents into the area.

Collectively, the smugglers were carrying 506 pounds of marijuana.

Later that same day, agents working south of Gila Bend found four abandoned bundles of marijuana after following footprints in the desert.

“The bundles were found in a wash under Highway 85,” Estes said, and had a combined weight of 184 pounds.

Yuma County residents can help the Border Patrol and U.S. Customs and Border Protection by calling 1-866-999-8727 toll-free to report suspicious activity. Callers can remain anonymous.

James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854. Find him on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/YSJamesGilbert or on Twitter @YSJamesGilbert.