4 marijuana smuggling suspects, sex offender nabbed
Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents apprehended four Mexican nationals on Sunday who were attempting to smuggle more than 91 pounds of marijuana through the desert east of Gila Bend.
According to Agent Robert Lowry, a spokesman for the Yuma Sector Communications Division, agents assigned to the Wellton Station were patrolling the desert on the Barry M. Goldwater Range when they discovered four sets of footprints near Range Road 4 that were heading north.
“Groups of aliens, and smugglers, whether they do it knowingly or unknowingly, pass through the range, which is extremely dangerous,” Lowry said.
Lowry said the agents followed the footprints to where they located four men and four backpacks containing marijuana near mile marker 97 and Interstate 8. The subjects were taken into custody and presented for prosecution on federal drug charges.
“They were within eyesight of the interstate,” Lowry said. “They were obviously waiting for their transportation.”
The narcotics, which had an estimated value at $45,850, were seized.
Then on Sunday night, U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the El Centro Station arrested a convicted sex offender traveling with a group of 11 illegal aliens.
According to Agent Jonathan Creiglow of the El Centro Sector Public Affairs Office, agents apprehended the group at around 11 p.m. as it was attempting to enter the U.S. illegally from Mexico approximately 29 miles west of Calexico, Calif.
During processing, a record checks revealed that one of the men in the group — a 22-year-old Mexican citizen — is a convicted sex offender.
The man was charged in Santa Ana, Calif., for lewd and lascivious acts with a minor under the age of 16. He had also previously been deported from the U.S. He is currently being held by the U.S. Border Patrol where he has been presented for federal prosecution charges.
To report suspicious activity, call the Yuma Sector Border Patrol toll-free at 1-866-999-8727.
James Gilbert can be reached at jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.
