Federal authorities seized more than 8,000 pounds of marijuana and arrested four suspects on drug trafficking charges Monday, officials said.
The marijuana had an estimated street value of $4.1 million, states a news release from Immigration and Customs Enforcement.Β Β
Border Patrol agents and Customs and Border Protection officers attempted to stop three vehicles, suspected of transporting contraband, near State Route 80 shortly before 7 a.m. Monday, according to a news release.Β
Two of the drivers left their vehicles and jumped into a third vehicle that fled from the scene, authorities said.
Agents requested help from other federal authorities, including an air crew, states the release.
While agents pursued the vehicles on the ground, an air crew relayed information about the suspects' direction of travel.
Once the vehicles were stopped, investigators searched the vehicles and found multiple bundles of marijuana, totaling 8,278 pounds, authorities said.
"This seizure is a clear example of a collaborative enforcement effort between multiple agencies," said Manuel Padilla Jr., chief for the Tucson Border Patrol Sector.
The suspects, whose names were not released, were taken into federal custody.
