Agents nab suspects, marijuana
U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Yuma Sector arrested three drug smuggling suspects Saturday evening who were found with a total of 251 pounds of marijuana.
According to Agent Kyle Estes of the Yuma Sector Communications Division, at about 11 p.m., agents found footprints near Gila Bend.
“They tracked the footprints, which went into a wash and discovered the three illegal entrants hiding there guarding the bundles of marijuana,” said Estes.
The seized marijuana had an estimated street value of $125,500.
Estes said while it is only speculation, he thinks there were probably more drug smugglers in the group who left before the agents' arrival because they typically don't carry bundles weighing more than 50 to 60 pounds each, meaning the three who were caught couldn't have carried all the bundles to that location.
“I don't know how many were in the group to begin with.”
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.
