Yuma Border Agents foil drug and human smuggling attempts
Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents near Wellton and Quartzsite foiled separate drug and human smuggling attempts on the same day.
On Saturday, June 2, Border Patrol agents averted both drug and human smuggling attempts and arrested 15 individuals, including two United States citizens.
The first event occurred Saturday around 1:40 a.m. at the checkpoint near Wellton on Interstate-8. A white Ford E-350 van approached the checkpoint when the driver, a 52-year-old United States citizen, and eight passengers were questioned about their citizenship. The Mexican nationals acknowledged they were without paperwork and all occupants of the vehicle were arrested.
In the second event, near Quartzsite, it happened around 5:45 a.m. when a black 2000 GMC Yukon was referred to secondary inspection.
A short time after, Blythe Border Patrol agents stopped the same vehicle in a traffic stop on Highway 95. Multiple subjects were seen to occupy the previously empty vehicle. The subjects avoided the checkpoint by foot and were picked up by the driver after he successfully passed through the checkpoint.
Five illegal immigrants and a 22-year-old United States citizen were taken into custody. The five subjects were between 17 and 41 years old, and were originally from Guatemala and Mexico.
The third event happened around 3:30 p.m., near Wellton, when a Border Patrol canine alerted to a blue 2012 Ford Fusion at the I-8 Checkpoint. According to a press release, after a vehicle search was conducted, agents found hidden compartments in the rocker panels on both sides of the vehicle.
The hidden compartments held 35 cellophane wrapped packages with 37.8 pounds, worth $113,400 of methamphetamine.
The 20-year-old driver is a resident of Somerton, Arizona.
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 may remain anonymous.
