AZMEX UPDATE 6 DEC 2013
Note: Busy Busy in the AZMEX
BP agents find guns, drugs in two incidents
Posted: Friday, December 6, 2013 11:47 pm
From Staff Reports
http://www.yumasun.com/news/article_ba026f84-5f0b-11e3-b515-0019bb30f31a.html
Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents seized drugs, weapons and ammunition during two recent incidents.
During the first incident, agents patrolling the Cabeza Prieta Mountains Thursday found three makeshift burlap backpacks hidden under rocks containing 152 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $76,000.
As agents continued searching the surrounding area, they found four men hiding under a black plastic tarp. The men, all Mexican citizens, had illegally entered the United States. One of the men was in possession of a two-way radio.
All four men were arrested, transported to the Wellton Station, and later turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
During the second incident, agents patrolling Interstate 10 near Blythe, Calif., performed a traffic stop on a 2013 Ford Taurus near Lovkin Boulevard
After reportedly receiving consent to search the vehicle from the driver, agents allegedly found 13 handguns, three military-style sporting rifles, five high-capacity magazines, ammunition, 0.88 grams of cocaine and 3.55 grams of heroin.
The driver, passenger, and contraband were turned over to the Blythe Narcotics Enforcement Team.
Note: A 9mm also, and Claudio has a prior
Three drug smugglers arrested, had police scanner with them
Kimberly Kolliner
CREATED Dec. 6, 2013
FLORENCE, Ariz. (KGUN9-TV) -
http://www.jrn.com/kgun9/news/Smugglers-in-possession-of-police-scanner-234812231.html
Three people arrested for drug and human smuggling Thursday were found to be in possession of a police scanner detecting Pinal County Sheriff's Office frequencies.
Police identified the the driver of the vehicle as 51-year-old Willa Thomas and the front seat passenger as 37-year-old Kevin Lewis; both Arizona natives.
The backseat passenger was Claudio Perez Felix, 35, of Sinaloa, Mexico.
When the deputy stopped and approached their 2002 Hyundai for a traffic violation, he immediately noticed the smell of marijuana.
He then spotted two large bundles of the drug wrapped in burlap on the backseat.
Once the deputy reportedly asked the individuals to step out of the vehicle is when he discovered that Lewis was in possession of a police scanner and a 9 mm semi-auto handgun.
"Drug and human smuggling often go hand in hand," said Sheriff Paul Babeu. "The public needs to hear these stories to better understand how these criminals operate and often evade detection from our deputies."
According to police, Thomas said she was in need for money and agreed to help her grandson Lewis smuggle 54.5 pounds of marijuana and the undocumented, Perez Felix for $500.
The marijuana that was confiscated apparently totaled to $41,500 in street value.
Lewis and Perez-Felix were booked into the Pinal County Jail for Possession of Marijuana for Sale, Transportation of Marijuana and Possession of Marijuana.
Perez-Felix also has an immigration hold and a hold on an outstanding warrant for a prior DUI arrest.
Willa Thomas was released from custody for medical issues.
Charges will be filed to the Pinal County Attorney's Office requesting she be prosecuted for the same offenses.
end
BP agents find 155 pounds of pot
December 05, 2013 12:45 AM
FROM STAFF REPORTS
Yuma Sector Border Patrol Agents seized 155 pounds of abandoned marijuana Tuesday night while patrolling the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, a known smuggling corridor. The pot has an estimated value of $77,500.
The agents were tracking footprints when they came upon seven bundles of pot, which were seized for destruction.
Read more: http://www.yumasun.com/articles/agents-90949-pot-pounds.html#ixzz2mcOPJLxb
400 pounds of marijuana found at Arizona wildlife refuge
By Associated Press
Originally published: Dec 6, 2013 - 6:48 am
http://ktar.com/22/1683049/Border-agents-find-400-pounds-of-marijuana-
WELLTON, Ariz. -- U.S. Border Patrol agents said they found more than 400 pounds of marijuana in several backpacks at a wildlife refuge in southwestern Arizona.
The drugs were spotted Wednesday while agents were patrolling the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge.
The marijuana, worth an estimated $200,000, will be destroyed.
Border Patrol officials say agents in the Yuma Sector work around the clock to combat smuggling operations that try to transport contraband through the refuge.
The refuge was established in 1939 to save the area's bighorn sheep. It's also a safe haven for other species, including the endangered Sonoran Pronghorn.
Because of the remoteness of the Cabeza Prieta and the neighboring Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, officials say smuggling organizations have established major routes throughout the region.
Associated Press,
Marijuana, ATVs abandoned on Arizona reservation
By Associated Press
Originally published: Dec 6, 2013 - 12:09 pm
http://ktar.com/22/1683131/Marijuana-ATVs-abandoned-on-Arizona-reservation
TUCSON, Ariz. -- Border Patrol agents found four all-terrain vehicles and over 1,500 pounds of marijuana abandoned in the desert on the Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation west of Tucson.
The Border Patrol said the vehicles and 69 bundles of marijuana were found scattered in an area northeast of the Kaka village on Wednesday.
Border Patrol spokeswoman Shevannah Wray said smugglers sometimes abandon their vehicles and loads to avoid being apprehended.
end
Agents seize smugglers, ATVs, 5,000 lbs of pot
4 hours ago • By James Martinez
http://azstarnet.com/news/local/crime/agents-seize-smugglers-atvs-lbs-of-pot/article_dd66eeef-d477-5d4b-8e69-a20fb6da583d.html
Border Patrol agents have arrested eight smugglers, six illegal immigrants, seized four ATVs and 5,000 pounds of marijuana in separate incidents west of Tucson.
Early Wednesday, agents discovered four abandoned all-terrain vehicles and 69 bundles of marijuana in an area northeast of the Tohono O'odham village of Kaka, according to a news release from Customs and Border Protection.
Later Wednesday, agents arrested eight suspected smugglers south of Fragita Peak in the Arivaca area. Agents also found 19 bundles of marijuana in the area, the release said.
On Thursday night, agents at the Interstate 19 checkpoint found 120 bundles of marijuana inside a tractor-trailer rig.
Later, agents at the checkpoint discovered six illegal immigrants who were hidden in a commercial trailer that was refrigerated to 45 degrees.
The total street value of the marijuana is about $2.5 million.
All the drugs and vehicles were seized. The suspects were either held for prosecution or returned to Mexico
end
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