YUMA, Arizona – The U.S. Customs and Border Protection recovered 30.8 pounds of marijuana dropped from a drone near San Luis, Arizona on Nov. 16, 2015. Authorities made the announcement today.
It was the first ever drone drug drop detected by CBP.
“The highly effective enforcement techniques employed by Yuma Sector and throughout the Border Patrol often forces smuggling organizations to redirect their efforts,” says Chief Patrol Agent Anthony J. Porvaznik. “As a result, they experiment with different techniques in an attempt to bring narcotics and other harmful contraband into the United States. This means we must adapt and meet these new challenges. Our agents’ vigilance was responsible for detecting this particular drone event, but we always encourage members of the public to assist our efforts by contacting the Border Patrol upon seeing suspicious activity.”
Yuma Station Border Patrol Agents observed an OctoCopter style drone illegally enter the San Luis airspace from San Luis, Rio Colorado, Mexico, and jettison a bundle. Aided by night vision goggles, agents were able to follow the drone to its drop point, where three bundles of marijuana – weighing approximately 10 pounds each – were discovered along the bank of a canal. The drugs had an estimated value of $15,430.
The drugs were processed per Yuma Sector guidelines.
