United States Customs and Border Protection revealed on Monday that agents seized hundreds of pounds of cannabis and arrested 11 undocumented individuals during an afternoon smuggling bust in a remote mountainous canyon southeast of Arivaca, Arizona on Wednesday, August 21.
According to a news release, agents with the Tucson Sector Border Control were notified that a group dressed in camouflage had been spotted carrying bundles of cannabis through the mountains west of Nogales.
CBP agents arrested 11 individuals
With the assistance of an Air and Marine Operations helicopter, Border Patrol agents located and then arrested a total of 11 men.
Agents also found 36 bundles of cannabis weighing approximately 820 pounds hidden nearby.
The Honduran, Guatemalan, and Mexican nationals, who ages ranged from 15 to 38 years old, are currently facing federal immigration and drug smuggling charges.
Following records checks, it was discovered that one of the group, 25-year-old Mario Felipe-Perez, has an active warrant in Marion County, Oregon for burglary, domestic violence assault, and contempt of court.
The agency that issued the warrant was notified that Perez was in custody where he is currently awaiting extradition to Marion County.
