AZ Border Patrol agents have a busy first week of May

TUCSON, AZ (Tucson News Now) - Border Patrol agents with the Tucson Sector had a busy first week of May, seizing more than $1.1 million in narcotics, two vehicles, a shotgun and several suspects involved in criminal cases.

According to a BP release the incidents began on May 3, when agents arrested two U.S. citizens for smuggling narcotics at the Highway 80 checkpoint, near Tombstone. A canine alerted to the possibility of drugs and a search revealed 98 'bricks' of marijuana concealed behind the vehicle's door panels. The drugs were worth an estimated $54,000, said the release.

On May 6, BP agents seized more than $13,000 worth of methamphetamine from a passenger shuttle van, near the I-19 checkpoint. According to agents the drugs were found hidden beneath the lining of a child safety seat. The passenger responsible was arrested for drug smuggling.

Also on May 6, in a separate incident agents were notified of a possible home invasion by Tohono O'odham Police, near Vaya Chin, Arizona. BP agents arrived on scene to assist the Tohono O'odham Police in a search and recovered a shotgun, ammunition and more than $23,000 worth of marijuana.

On the evening of May 6, agents said they arrested two women for drug smuggling, during a vehicle stop also at the Highway 80 checkpoint. Agents said they found 71 bundles of marijuana hidden in the vehicle's quarter panels, worth an estimated $53,000.

BP agents also seized more than 1,900 pounds of marijuana and arrested 15 illegal immigrants in the desert southwest of Tucson, near Kupk, Arizona on May 8.

All suspects are facing possible prosecution, while the drugs and vehicles as well as the weapon and ammunition were seized for further processing.