Border Patrol officials said 2,230 pounds of marijuana and automatic weapons were seized Tuesday near Nogales as border agents observed 22 people trying to smuggle the products.
Border Patrol agents reportedly used the help of surveillance technology to identify the large group and had Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine helicopter and agents fly to Nogales.
The 22 subjects allegedly fled and dropped several bundles as agents arrived on the scene.
Agents said they arrested 22 individuals, allegedly Mexican Nationals illegally in the United States. They also seized 39 bundles of marijuana estimated value of $1,784,000, two AK-47 assault rifle magazines loaded with over 60 rounds of ammunition and a loaded .45 caliber semi-automatic handgun, according to the report.
The subjects, marijuana, guns and ammunition were transported to the Nogales Station.
According to Border Patrol officials, over the first 6 months of the fiscal year 2009, Tucson Sector has seized approximately 600,000 pounds of marijuana and 26 weapons involved with smuggling operations over the border.
