Border Patrol seizes drugs, fraudulent documents, and arrests seven illegal immigrants
Border Patrol said that agents assigned to the Wellton Station seized three fraudulent immigration documents, more than 270 pounds of marijuana, and apprehended seven illegal immigrants. All of the incidents happened Wednesday.
Agents said three individuals presented false immigration documents to agents assigned to the immigration checkpoint east of Yuma. The individuals were arrested for being illegally present in the United States and the documents were seized.
Soon after, agents arrested four illegal immigrants, south of Wellton, smuggling bundles of marijuana. The marijuana weighed 140 pounds and had an estimated value of nearly $70,000.
In the third event, a canine team assigned to a forward operating base south of Dateland, Ariz., was conducting tracking operations, when the canine alerted to four bundles of marijuana hidden under a thicket of brush. The bundles of marijuana weighed more than 130 pounds and was valued at $65,000.
All individuals, drugs and documents were processed per Yuma Sector guidelines.
Federal law allows agents to charge individuals by complaint, a method that allows the filing of charges for criminal activity without inferring guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless or until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.
Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents effectively combat smuggling organizations attempting to illegally transport people and contraband through southwestern Arizona and California. Citizens 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.
