see also: in August 2007 News Releases:   Border Patrol Agents Seize Drugs at California Checkpoint   Palm Beach, Fla. Welcomes New Tool in Fighting Terror Weapons   Drug Seizure Activity at Border Ports Remains Brisk; El Paso CBP Nabs More Than 2 Tons of Pot   Yuma Border Agents Help Local Police Track 3 Fleeing Burglary Scene   CBP Officers at Laredo, Texas Entry Seize Almost $6 Million in Drugs in Two Seizures   Suspected Smuggling Lookouts Captured in Desert   1st Director of U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Northwest Retires ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Yuma, Ariz. - Army National Guard soldiers assisted U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol agents assigned to the Yuma Sector today in the seizure of 240 pounds of marijuana.

Just after midnight, soldiers assigned to Operation Jumpstart from California were performing Entry Identification Team duties near the All American Canal approximately one mile northwest of the Andrade, Calif., Port of Entry when they spotted a large raft floating westbound in the All American Canal. The soldiers alerted nearby agents, who suspected that the raft may have dropped off persons or contraband on the canal bank near the EIT site.

After searching the area, agents discovered several bundles of marijuana in burlap sacks in the brush near the site. Agents also discovered footprints near the bundles and determined the individuals fled to Mexico after leaving the drugs.

Drug Enforcement Administration officials were contacted and the drugs were transported to the Yuma Border Patrol Station. The 15 bundles of marijuana have an estimated value of almost $193,000.

Yuma Sector agents have seized more than 42,000 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $33.7 million between Oct. 1 and July 31. During the same period last year, agents seized nearly 44,000 pounds worth an estimated $34.8 million.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) 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.