By KRWG News
El Paso – CBP/Border Patrol Agents throughout the El Paso Sector were on high alert battling drug smugglers this past weekend with the most notable events occurring in Lordsburg, New Mexico when agents seized over 500 pounds of marijuana in two separate incidents.
On Saturday, Border Patrol Agents assigned to the Lordsburg Station were performing line watch operations when they observed footprints of a group of individuals having crossed the border illegally approximately 23 miles southeast of Playas, New Mexico. Agents pursued and apprehended the subjects along with 314 pounds of marijuana, valued at more than $250,000. This seizure was followed by another attempt by smugglers to transport 206 pounds of contraband on Sunday through New Mexico. A third significant drug load was then caught by Agents from Lordsburg in the same vicinity. All totaled this weekend, agents from the Lordsburg Station seized over 632 pounds of marijuana, valued at over $500,000.
Agents from Lordsburg weren't alone in their fight against drugs. Agents from Las Cruces, Alamogordo, Deming, and Fort Hancock were also busy intercepting drug loads in their respective areas. Border Patrol Agents from four different stations seized a total of 1,383 pounds of marijuana, valued at $1,106,000. In connection with those same drug seizures, agents also arrested 12 subjects and seized four vehicles. In each case, the contraband, subjects and vehicles were turned over to the appropriate investigating agency for final disposition.
These most recent drug seizure episodes exemplify CBP/Border Patrol's continued commitment to keep illicit contraband and criminal activities out of our communities in an ongoing effort to secure our nation's borders.