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

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Yuma, Ariz. - Border Patrol agents from the Yuma Sector seized 1,658 pounds of marijuana after a harrowing chase Friday evening.

At 6:10 p.m., a Yuma Sector Communications Center camera operator observed several individuals cutting the lock on the vehicle barrier gate at County 11 ½ Street. The heavy steel gates, which are installed on the bridges over the Salinity Canal, restrict vehicle movement to and from the Colorado River area. As agents responded, a white GMC pickup truck drove through the gate, and turned south on the Levee road toward County 14th Street. As agents followed the vehicle, a quick-thinking agent re-secured the gate in order to prevent any further illegal vehicle entries.

Agents caught up to the pickup truck as it turned eastbound onto County 14th Street and attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver immediately made a u-turn and attempted to flee westbound toward the Colorado River. Agents successfully deployed a Controlled Tire Deflation Device on County 14th Street, but the vehicle continued on flat tires, turning north on the Levee Road toward County 11 ½ . At County 11 ½, the driver attempted to ram the pickup truck through the re-secured gate, disabling the vehicle. The driver, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, jumped out and fled into Mexico by crossing the nearby Colorado River.

Within the vehicle, agents found a total of 110 plastic-wrapped bundles of what was later determined to be marijuana.

The marijuana, which weighed a total of 1,658 pounds with a street value of $1,326,800.00, was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration. The pickup truck was seized by the Border Patrol.

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.