Yuma BP seizes drugs, firearm over weekend
Wellton Station Border Patrol agents arrested several U.S. citizens and illegal entrants in multiple smuggling incidents on Interstate 8 over the weekend, according to information provided by the Yuma Sector Public Affairs Office.
In the first incident, which happened on Friday at approximately 6:25 p.m., Wellton Station agents assigned to the Interstate 8 Immigration Checkpoint referred a gray 2004 Ford F-150 truck to the secondary inspection area, where a U.S. Border Patrol canine alerted to an odor.
Agents searched the vehicle and found 22 packages of methamphetamine weighing 61.9 pounds hidden behind the rear vehicle seats. The driver, a 26-yearold U.S. citizen from Yuma, was arrested. The narcotics have an approximate street value of $185,700.
At 10 a.m. Monday, Wellton Station agents were alerted to a silver 2004 Pontiac Grand Am that was traveling east from Calexico that had been observed picking up individuals on Interstate 8.
Border Patrol agents located the vehicle and performed an immigration stop on the occupants. After questioning, it was determined that two of the five occupants were Mexican nationals who were in the country illegally. The three remaining occupants were United States citizens.
Also discovered in the vehicle were a pistol, one 9 mm magazine, 1.2 grams of marijuana and 0.2 grams of cocaine. All five individuals were arrested on smuggling and immigration violations.
Later that same day at 4:30 p.m., a 46-year-old female from Omaha, Nebraska, driving a 2018 Jeep Commander and a passenger attempted to pass through the Interstate 8 Immigration Checkpoint. Both were U.S. citizens.
The Jeep was sent for a secondary inspection, where a positive alert by a Border Patrol canine led agents to discover 10 individual packages of methamphetamine in the backseat worth $31,650.
Finally, at 10:10 p.m. Monday, agents working at the Interstate 8 Immigration Checkpoint were alerted to a gray 2012 Toyota Camry by a Border Patrol canine.
While questioning the driver, a 22-year-old U.S. citizen, agents noticed his lower legs looked unusual. Upon searching him they found that he had packages of fentanyl taped to his shins.
Agents seized 898 grams of fentanyl and arrested the driver.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials welcome assistance from the community. Individuals can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. Reporting illicit activity could result in saving someone’s life.