U.S. Border Patrol agents in the Tucson sector recently thwarted a human smuggling attempt, resulting in the apprehension of seven undocumented migrants, as announced by Chief Jason Owens on X (formerly Twitter).

Owens detailed the incident, stating, "1/10: USBP agents in Amado, AZ interdicted a tractor trailer used to smuggle 7 undocumented subjects at the I-19 checkpoint. All 7 subjects were locked in the trailer with no means of escaping. The driver will be prosecuted for 8 USC 1324. Great Work @USBPChiefTCA."

This announcement comes shortly after a significant seizure of narcotics near Amado, as reported by a Customs and Border Protection news release. An agent from Nogales Station Border Patrol and his K9 partner discovered the drugs on Oct. 5 while inspecting four abandoned duffel bags near the Interstate 19 immigration checkpoint. The narcotics were tested and found to contain 71 pounds of meth valued at $63,796 and 63.3 pounds of fentanyl worth an estimated $416,150.

Tucson Sector Chief Patrol Agent John R. Modlin commended this operation saying, "This narcotics seizure is significant," He added that it "not only demonstrates the hard work of this dedicated canine team but also illustrates the need for our agents to be in the field, doing what they do best. In this case, that’s keeping dangerous drugs from reaching our nation’s communities."

Later in October, according to another CBP news release, agents operating at the Interstate 19 immigration checkpoint arrested a motorist found with 53 pounds of fentanyl hidden within her white Ford F150 pickup truck. The drugs were concealed in a secret compartment containing several packets of blue pills. Both the suspect and seized narcotics were handed over to the Drug Enforcement Administration for further prosecution related to her alleged narcotic smuggling attempt.