Multiple agencies in three-day effort to combat smuggling seize over 4,000 pounds marijuana, arrest 43

Anti-smuggling operation in Vekol Valley

leads to arrests & over 4,300 lbs. of drugs seized

A three day, multi-agency effort to combat human and drug smuggling in the Vekol Valley has led to dozens or arrests and thousands of pounds of marijuana seized.

This latest tactical operation was from September 14-16, participating law enforcement agencies accounted for the below activity:

• 4,369.5 lbs. of marijuana seized

• 40 Undocumented aliens apprehended (11 facing felony charges)

• 3 United States Citizens apprehended (all facing felony charges)

• 4 vehicles seized

• 3 stolen vehicles recovered

• 1 stolen Arizona license plate recovered

• 3 weapons seized

Participating agencies were: Pinal County Sheriff's Office, Tucson and Yuma Sector Border Patrol, Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Air and Marine, Immigration Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security, Investigations and Enforcement Removal Operations, Bureau of Land Management, United States Attorney’s Office, Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, Pinal County Attorney’s Office, Tohono O’odham Police Department, Gila River Police Department, Eloy Police Department and HIDTA Task Force.

PCSO Sheriff Paul Babeu stated, "It is absolutely crucial that we work closely with all of our law enforcement partners to combat drug and human trafficking which is a constant problem, not only for our residents, but people all across America. These tactical details have become especially dangerous for our members as they never know when they are going to be confronted with a cartel member armed with an assault weapon furnished to them courtesy of our own United States Government’s botched operation called, ‘Fast and Furious’"