More than 900 pounds of pot seized Friday

U.S. Border Patrol agents from Yuma Sector arrested five drug smugglers and seized 246 pounds of marijuana during two separate incidents on Friday. A Mexican man was also arrested the same day at the San Luis II commercial port for attempting to smuggle 669 pounds of marijuana into the country.

On Friday, agents patrolling in the area discovered footprints 15 miles south of Tacna. Following the tracks, the agents later caught up with five Mexican nationals who were wearing camouflage clothing and carrying a total of 190 pounds of marijuana.

Later in the day, agents located three abandoned backpacks of marijuana south of Interstate 8, near mile marker 93. The three bundles had a combined weight of 56 pounds.

The total estimated value of the two seizures was $123,000.

Also on Friday, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the San Luis II commercial port referred a 48-year-old driver for an additional inspection of the tractor-trailer he was driving.

After an anomaly was discovered using a commercial x-ray system, a CBP narcotics detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs in the back of the trailer. A further search led to the discovery of 27 packages of marijuana hidden behind the back wall of the trailer.

The drugs and tractor-trailer were processed for seizure. The subject was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations.

“CBP officers employed several layers of enforcement to identify and locate this drug load,” said CBP Assistant Port Director Chris Leon. “Their hard work stopped another significant amount of marijuana from reaching its intended destination.”

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.