Border Patrol nabs $1 million marijuana load

More than 1,400 pounds of marijuana - with an estimated street value of $1.1 million - was seized near San Luis, Ariz., early Thursday morning.

U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Yuma sector spotted two vehicles that had entered the United States illegally at 3:30 a.m. Thursday about 12 miles east of the U.S. Port of Entry at San Luis, according to Border Patrol officials.

Yuma sector spokesman Lloyd Easterling said that one of the vehicles, a Chevrolet Silverado, got stuck in the sand while driving through the desert. The smugglers driving it jumped out and escaped back into Mexico in the other vehicle.

The Silverado and the drugs found inside were seized by Border Patrol.

Easterling said this was about average for a vehicle seizure of marijuana.

"We get anything from personal use marijuana up to a half-ton and a ton. They really vary so much. For a vehicle load, this is right on par," Easterling said.

The vehicle, which was reported stolen, and the drugs were turned over to Drug Enforcement Administration officials.

From Oct. 1, 2006, through May 31, Yuma sector agents seized nearly 33,000 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $26 million, compared to nearly 34,000 pounds seized during the same period last year.

The smugglers' truck was covered in a camouflage tarp. Easterling said this is not an uncommon tactic smugglers use to hide themselves and their cargo.

"We had one a few months ago like this out in the desert east of Wellton. We see it employed by smugglers from time to time."

He added that camouflage isn't the only way smugglers mask their vehicles.

"We've seen some in the past, over in the Tucson sector, that were painted up similar to Border Patrol vehicles."