see also: in January 2008:   Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism: A Year in Review   CBP, National Guard Announce Super Bowl Flight Restrictions   Cooperation Leads to Apprehension of International Fugitive   Border Patrol Seizes $109,944 Stashed in Vehicle   CBP Arrests Fugitive Arriving from Dominican into Puerto Rico   CBP and ICE Donate Thousands of Shoes to Charity   Operation Uniforce 8 ...more on cbp.gov:   CBP News Releases   Press Officers

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Yuma, Ariz. – Border Patrol agents assigned to the Yuma Sector’s Blythe Station arrested two individuals and seized a loaded firearm during a vehicle stop early Sunday morning.

About 5:30 am, agents performing traffic observations duties in Parker, Arizona noticed a suspicious 2001 Chrysler Cirrus SLX with three occupants traveling on a road commonly used by smugglers to circumvent Border Patrol agents.

Agents performed a vehicle stop, and while running records checks, discovered that all three U.S. citizen occupants had prior arrests ranging from drug possession to alien smuggling. One of the passengers had an active warrant issued by the State of Arizona for forgery. Upon searching the vehicle, agents discovered a loaded 22-caliber handgun wrapped in cloth, hidden inside the panel of the driver’s door.

Agents seized the weapon, detained the driver for carrying a concealed weapon, and detained the passenger for an outstanding warrant. The third passenger was released at the scene.

The two subjects and weapon were turned over to the Colorado River Indian Tribe Police.

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.