see also: in December 2008:   CBP Lists Top 10 Enforcement Events of 2008   CBP Seizes $200K in Undeclared Currency; Arrest 1 at Texas Port   Marfa Sector Agents Apprehend Murder Suspect   San Ysidro Port Modernization Deployment Temporarily Reduces Lanes   Border Patrol Agents Assist in Locating Distressed Individual   CBP Officers Stop Man at Michigan Border Crossing Wanted for Aggravated Sexual Assault   Holiday Surprise; CBP Unwraps 312 Pounds of Khat in December ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

contacts for this news release

Tucson, Ariz. – Border Patrol agents from the Tucson, Ariz. station seized 1,384 pounds of marijuana in the desert after a tracking operation led agents to the drugs.

Yesterday afternoon, agents operating a mobile surveillance system near Arivaca notified horse patrol units and CBP Air and Marine assets that they had seen several individuals walking toward Fraguita Peak.

As agents approached the area, they encountered eight illegal aliens near the Ruby Road and Yellow Jacket Road split. As agents searched the area for any outstanding illegal aliens, they discovered 53 bundles of marijuana abandoned in the desert near the apprehended aliens.

In total the 53 bundles have an estimated weight of over 1,384 pounds with an estimated street value of $1,107,200. The drugs and the eight arrested individuals were transported to the Tucson Station for processing. The drugs will be processed for turnover to the Drug Enforcement Administration and the eight individuals will be prosecuted under the Arizona Denial Prosecution Initiative.

In the performance of their duties, Tucson sector agents use technology such as the mobile surveillance system in combination with additional personnel and infrastructure to enforce the laws of our country to make it a safer place for our citizens. Tucson sector has seized 135,863 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $108.7 million during the first two months of fiscal year 2009 (October and November, 2008).

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.