Marijuana, cocaine seized in separate incidents

Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents arrested two suspected smugglers and seized more than 400 pounds of marijuana in two separate incidents Monday.

Meanwhile Customs and Border Protection officers arrested a 30-year-old man Friday for attempting to smuggle nearly 35 pounds of cocaine through the San Luis port of entry.

According to Supervisory Agent Kenneth Quillin, of the Yuma Sector Communications Division, in the early morning hours of Monday, Wellton Station agents patrolling southeast of Gila Bend detected a group traveling through the desert with large, rectangular backpacks.

When agents caught up to the group, they apprehended two subjects carrying 270.5 pounds of marijuana worth nearly $135,250. The marijuana and suspects, both Mexican nationals, were turned over to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office.

In the second incident hours later, agents patrolling near Camp Grip located footprints from a group of subjects traveling through the desert. While tracking the group, agents located three makeshift backpacks that had been abandoned. The marijuana, valued at $71,750, was seized.

On Friday, a 30-year-old man from San Luis, Son., was arrested for attempting to smuggle nearly 35 pounds of cocaine, into the U.S. through the San Luis port of entry.

According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, officers referred the driver for a secondary inspection of his Ford SUV.

After a CBP narcotics detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs, officers found 14 packages of cocaine hidden inside non-factory compartments in the tire wheel wells.

The drugs and vehicle were processed for seizure. The subject was arrested and turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations.

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.