YUMA, AZ -- U.S. Border Patrol agents seized more than $280,000 worth of marijuana while tracking a group of suspected drug smugglers early Saturday morning, officials said.
Agents assigned to the Yuma Sector detected nine individuals entering Arizona near the Lukeville area around 4:30 a.m. Saturday.
Border Patrol Agent Shaun Kuzia said agents discovered the marijuana as they tracked the smugglers, and were able to secure the contraband.
A total of seven bundles of marijuana weighing nearly 360 pounds and worth an estimated street value of $287,128 were seized.
According to Kuzia, agents determined that five of the nine suspected smugglers crossed the border back into Mexico, but four were still being tracked through the mountains in Arizona.
Kuzia said that is where agents assigned to the Ajo Station took over the chase.
The marijuana was transported to the Wellton Border Patrol Station to be processed for destruction, according to officials.
