BP agents apprehend more suspected smugglers

In three separate failed attempts over the past weekend, Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents seized nearly $800,000 worth of marijuana that was being carried on foot by suspected drug smugglers from Mexico.

"Drug smugglers tried three days in a row and we stopped them all three days," said agent Shaun Kuzia, a spokesman for the Yuma Sector Border Patrol. "Each time they got a couple miles north of the border, we found their footprints and began tracking them."

Kuzia said agents assigned to the Yuma Sector’s forward operating base, Camp Grip, detected the entry of nine individuals Saturday, approximately 30 miles west of the U.S. Port of Entry at Lukeville, Ariz.

When agents closed in on the group, Kuzia said the suspected smugglers dropped several burlap sacks loaded with marijuana and ran into the mountains to avoid apprehension.  

Kuzia said agents secured the contraband and continued tracking the group through the mountains until agents assigned to the Ajo Station took over the search.

Then on Sunday morning, agents detected the entry of another group of suspected drug smugglers near the same area.

While tracking that group, Kuzia said agents discovered eight more burlap sacks containing bundles of marijuana.

Agents secured the contraband and continued tracking the group. They were able to locate and apprehend the group of seven suspected drug smugglers a short time later.

Kuzia said suspected smugglers were taken to the Wellton station and processed for removal.

Border Patrol agents also discovered another six burlap sacks late Monday evening.

Kuzia said the burlap sacks contained several plastic-wrapped bundles of marijuana, which had been abandoned near the same area as the previous two smuggling attempts.

Over the last three days, agents assigned to Camp Grip have seized a total of 993 pounds of marijuana with an estimated street value of $794,480.

Kuzia said the remote deserts near the U.S. Port of Entry at Lukeville, Ariz., are known for drug and alien smuggling and illegal activity in that area seems to be increasing.

"I couldn't say if drug smugglers using that area is a growing trend, but they like trying to use the area and we like catching and stopping them," Kuzia said.

Camp Grip is Yuma Sector’s tactically deployed forward operating base that is designed to gain operational control of the remote border area between Yuma and Tucson Sectors.

James Gilbert can be reached jgilbert@yumasun.com or 539-6854.