9 smugglers, 864 pounds of marijuana found
Border Patrol agents from Yuma Sector's Wellton Station arrested nine drug smugglers near Interstate 8, just west of Gila Bend on Wednesday.
All citizens of Mexico, the group was carrying makeshift backpacks filled with a combined weight of 525 pounds of marijuana.
Later that day, agents found 248 pounds of marijuana abandoned in the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge and 91 pounds abandoned three miles south of mile marker 96 on I-8.
The 864 pounds of marijuana had a total estimated value of $432,000.
Yuma-area 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.
