One ton of marijuana, rescued hikers, arrest sex offenders seized on border

Border patrol agents in the Tucson section of the U.S.-Mexico border interdicted more than a ton of marijuana along with four firearms. A total of 2,140 pounds of marijuana was intercepted with an estimated value of $1.7 million in Arizona alone.

On Saturday, border patrol agents made an attempt to stop a vehicle trying to avoid a checkpoint near Interstate 19 by the Nogales border station. The vehicle evaded agents, but was later found abandoned in the desert with 360 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $183,000.

In addition, on Sunday night, border agents at the Ajo station using night surveillance equipment detected a vehicle travelling off-road with its headlights off. Agents pursued the vehicle only to find it abandoned with 1,773 pounds of marijuana with an estimated $886,500. After searching the area, agents found and arrested two illegal aliens.

With the stepped up enforcement efforts along the border, smugglers will often abandon their drug cargo rather than chance being caught and face trial.

Meanwhile border agents in California arrested four illegal aliens attempting to smuggle two duffel bags full of marijuana into the United States. The agents found over 100 pounds.

In addition, the Border Search Trauma and Rescue Team (BORSTAR) assisted local authorities in rescuing a stranded hiker near Jacumba, California. The hiker said he was walking in the mountains when he fell and injured both ankles leaving him unable to walk. BORSTAR located the injured man and transported him to a nearby hospital to treat his wounds.

Finally, in two separate incidents border patrol agents identified two groups of illegal aliens seeking to enter the United States near Calexico, California. In each of the groups, border agents found convicted sex offenders. Both were men with criminal charges for having sex with minors.