Two underage American citizens in Naco, Arizona have been apprehended by U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents for being on the receiving end of an air cannon drug smuggling operation from Mexico.
According to an agency news release, border agents on Wednesday noticed what appeared to be drugs being launched from just over the border in Mexico. The federal agency used multi-surveillance programs to monitor the air movements. They then sent two agents to where the items had landed on the U.S. side of the border.
Upon arrival, border officials discovered two minors with a 34-pound “bundle” of marijuana that was molded into a cylindrical shape to fit the 55-gallon drum used to carry the package through the air.
The drugs were seized and the two suspects were taken to the Cochise County Attorney for prosecution under the Operation Immediate Consequence.
“Smuggling organizations often take advantage of teens, lying to them about their chances of being prosecuted for their roles in smuggling attempts,” said Michael Hyatt, the patrol agent in charge of the Brian A. Terry Border Patrol Station. “In many cases, they do not realize the true consequences of their actions.”
The suspects could face 18 months jail time for the act.
Border Patrol officials in Arizona reported in April that drug smugglers are also using drones to bring drugs into the U.S. from the southern border.
