Yuma Sector agents intercept narcotics dropped from drones

Contributed Photo/Courtesy U.S. Customs and Border Protection: Agents seized 11 kilograms of cocaine that was dropped from a drone.

Contributed Article By U.S. Customs and Border Protection

YUMA – Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents working various shifts intercepted narcotics in two of three separate incidents of Single Unmanned Aircraft Systems (SUAS) detected between April 29 and May 3.  SUAS are commonly referred to as, ‘Drones’. 

On Wednesday, Yuma Sector Agents recovered a small bundle from a SUAS. The bundle seized contained approximately 463 grams of methamphetamine and has an estimated street value of nearly $3,000. On Saturday night, individuals in Mexico launched a drone that entered U.S. airspace and dropped multiple packages. Responding agents were able to retrieve the 10 packages dropped by the drone. The contents of the packages weighed approximately 11 kilograms of a substance that tested positive for cocaine.

The approximate street value of the cocaine seized is $306,000. Yuma Sector agents detected another drone on Sunday evening. Yuma Sector Border Patrol Agents recovered two of the three drones in these encounters.

Drug Trafficking Organizations (DTO’s) and Transcontinental Criminal Organizations (TCO’s) will go to great lengths to smuggle their narcotics. DTO’s and TCO’s continue to attempt various methods of smuggling narcotics.  Yuma Sector Border Patrol Agents continue to remain vigilant in order to thwart and discourage these attempts.