Yuma Border Patrol has big night for drug busts
U.S. Border Patrol agents from Yuma Sector's Blythe Station seized more than 24 pounds of methamphetamine and 11 pounds of marijuana Tuesday night in separate and unrelated incidents. The drugs had an estimated street value of approximately $235,000.
The first seizure happened at a checkpoint on State Highway 95 when agents referred a vehicle to the secondary inspection area after a canine alerted on it. Upon conducting a more thorough inspection, agents detected some anomalies and then X-rayed the vehicle.
Those anomalies turned out to be 18 packages of methamphetamine in the vehicle's front bumper. The driver was arrested while the narcotics and his vehicle were processed for seizure.
About two hours later, in an unrelated bust, agents seized about 11 pounds of marijuana and drug paraphernalia on Interstate 10 near Ehrenberg.
In this seizure agents stopped a vehicle to question the occupants and discovered 11 pounds of marijuana, a box of small plastic bags, plastic bottles, a palm scale, and a credit card reader. The two occupants were taken into custody. The contraband and vehicle were seized.
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 at @YSJamesGilbert.
