see also: in April 2002:   Congressmen Honor U.S. Customs Employees   U.S. Customs Inspectors in Hidalgo Seize $390,000 in Methamphetamine   U.S. Customs Inspectors in Laredo Arrest Iraqi Fugitive Wanted by FBI in Michigan   U.S. Customs Inspectors, Del Rio, Seize 2,591 Pounds of Cocaine - Largest U.S.-Mexico Border Coke Seizure in FY 2002 To Date   Customs Kids Join Parents on the Job as Part of "Bring Your Child To Work Day" Event   U.S. Customs Service Patrol Officers Seize 1,678 Pounds of Marijuana on Monday   Maryland Woman Arrested for Transporting Over 30,000 Pills ...more

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Sells, Arizona - U.S. Customs Service patrol officers and special agents from the Sells office of the Resident Agent in Charge seized approximately 8,000-9,000 pounds of marijuana today and last night. They also confiscated five assault rifles, five handguns, several bulletproof vests, night vision equipment, and several two-way radios. Four people are in custody in connection with the ongoing enforcement action.

The seizure occurred at a residence in the Menager Dam Village on the Tohono O'Odham nation south of Ajo. Customs officers received a tip that two sport utility vehicles at the home were loaded with a substantial amount of marijuana. Customs officers located the vehicles at the property shortly before noon Wednesday. Two additional vehicles were also parked outside the home.

Customs officers approached the home to investigate when they encountered five male subjects who tried to flee the area. As Customs Patrol Officers (CPO's) were taking the subjects into custody, one of the men jumped into a 2001 Ford Excursion at the rear of the property and attempted to drive away. As the driver was trying to escape, he spotted an approaching CPO, turned the vehicle in the direction of the officer, and accelerated in an attempt to run the CPO down. The CPO was ordering the driver to stop when the accelerating Ford Excursion struck the CPO and a parked vehicle that the CPO was trapped against. The driver put the vehicle in reverse and then forward and accelerated in the direction of a second CPO. Both CPOs fired shots at the driver. The driver was struck at least once and crashed the vehicle into a neighboring residence. Customs officers gained control of the combative driver and seized the marijuana-laden vehicle.

"This incident clearly illustrates the increasingly violent nature of the drug smuggler Customs officers encounter," said Steve Minas, Special Agent in Charge for the U.S. Customs Service Tucson Office of Investigations. "Not only were these individuals armed to teeth and equipped with a number of tools designed to evade law enforcement, they were more than willing to use a vehicle as a lethal weapon to harm a U.S. Customs Service officer."

The CPO who was struck by the vehicle sustained bruises and abrasions. He was transferred to a medical facility in Sells where he was treated and released. The driver of the vehicle was transported by helicopter to Tucson Medical Center for medical attention. He underwent surgery after a preliminary examination revealed metal fragments in his head. He has been sedated and is recovering. He is identified as 25-year-old Jose Gastellum-Molina of Sonoita, Mexico.

Customs officers searched the 2001 Ford Excursion and discovered that it contained 2,165 pounds of marijuana. Three other vehicles at the residence also appeared to contain similar amounts of marijuana. Customs officers applied for a search warrant for the vehicles and property. During execution of the search warrant, Customs officers seized a substantial amount of marijuana estimated to be 6,000-7,000 pounds. The contraband is being weighed at this time. In addition to the drugs, Customs officers also seized five assault rifles, five handguns, night vision gear, bulletproof vests, and two-way radios.

The three other suspects taken into custody last night made their initial appearance in federal court in Tucson today. They were charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance. They are identified as 21-year-old Juan Manuel Perez and 21-year-old Jesus Ismael Reyna, both residents of the Tohono O'Odham nation; and 23-year-old David Aguilar Estrada of Sonoita, Mexico. One person remains at large. The investigation is continuing.