Agents seize nearly 3 tons of pot

Border Patrol agents seized almost three tons of marijuana Wednesday in two incidents, including one at the Interstate 19 checkpoint north of Tubac.

A Border Patrol canine team working at the Agua Linda checkpoint Wednesday evening helped detect marijuana on a tractor-trailer rig carrying watermelons, according to officials.

With the use of a mobile X-ray system, agents had enough cause to inspect the freight, and found several bundles of pot weighing about 3,200 pounds; estimated street value is $2.5 million.

Earlier in the day, agents at the Ajo station working south of Why saw an altered Dodge pickup near the border. As agents approached, the driver bailed out and fled into Mexico.

Agents inspected the vehicle and found bundles of marijuana weighing about 2,500 pounds, with an estimated street value of nearly $2 million. The vehicle had been reported stolen.

Border Patrol officials said the fiscal year, which ends June 30, set a record for marijuana seized by the Tucson Sector, with more than 830,000 pounds.