see also: in December 2005 Press Releases:   New SENTRI/Dedicated Commuter Lane to Open at Calexico/Mexicali Port of Entry Thursday   CBP Border Patrol Agents Arrest Homicide Suspect   CBP Border Patrol Agent Saves Two Mexican Nationals From Drowning   U.S. Joins Revised World Customs Organization Convention   One Ton of Marijuana Seized at Nogales Port of Entry   Another Child Smuggling Arrest at Hidalgo Port   CBP Border Patrol Seizes Over a Ton of Marijuana ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Wellton, Arizona – Last night, CBP Border Patrol Agents stopped two suspicious vehicles in Dome Valley that were circumventing a checkpoint. Five subjects were arrested after a search of the vehicle revealed drugs and weapons.

Late last night, Yuma Sector CBP Border Patrol Agents assigned to the Wellton Station observed two suspicious vehicles, a 2003 Kia Rio and a 1985 Ford station wagon, traveling together through Dome Valley. Dome Valley is a route commonly used by smugglers to circumvent the Border Patrol checkpoint on Interstate 8. The agents stopped the two vehicles and questioned the occupants.

The Ford was found to contain three subjects and 170 pounds of marijuana worth $136,160.00. The three subjects were taken into custody. A loaded .22 caliber pistol was also found inside the vehicle. The Kia contined two subjects, 26 grams of methamphetamine and a loaded .22 caliber pistol, which was reported stolen. These two subjects were also taken into custody.

Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration took custody of four of the subjects, who were all adult U.S. Citizens from Yuma, the contraband and both vehicles. The fifth subject was a 15-year-old illegal alien from San Luis, Mexico. He was processed by the Border Patrol to be returned to Mexico.

Since the beginning of this fiscal year, CBP Border Patrol Agents in the Yuma Sector have interdicted 12,076 pounds of marijuana valued at more than $9.6 million and 9.1 pounds of methamphetamine valued at $6,867.00.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control, and protection of our Nation’s borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.