Checkpoint nets 16 bundles of marijuana

U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Yuma Sector's Blythe Station seized more than 50 pounds of marijuana Saturday evening from a car passing through its Highway 95 checkpoint.

According to Agent Alicia Lizama of the Yuma Sector Public Affairs Office, a 1999 Chrysler Concord drove up to the U.S Border Patrol checkpoint south of Quartzsite.

"The car was leaving the Yuma area," Lizama said.

She said during the initial inspection, a Border Patrol K-9 team alerted to the possible presence of contraband within the vehicle, and the driver was referred to a secondary inspection area.

As agents were inspecting the vehicle, Lizama said, they noticed several areas within the trunk that appeared to have been modified.  

Lizama said a thorough search of the vehicle revealed a hidden compartment behind the rear seat. In the compartment were 16 bundles of marijuana, which weighed a total of 50.6 pounds, with an estimated street value of $40,480.  

The marijuana, the vehicle and the two occupants were turned over to Yuma County Narcotics Task Force, Lizama said.