Written by: Brian Pryor

ICE agents working with the Douglas Police Department in conjunction with the US Border Patrol seized 980 pounds of marijuana in two separate drug smuggling incidents Thursday.

The first incident occurred near State Highway 80 and Double Adobe Road, law enforcement observed an ultra-light fly into the area then turn back for Mexico.

Agents in the area conducting surveillance observed a vehicle pick up the marijuana dropped and head to Douglas.

Authorities following the vehicle observed the occupants abandon the vehicle a short time later; in this incident agents discovered eight bundles of marijuana weighing more than 216 pounds.

In the second incident, Douglas Police arrested two Mexican citizens in the evening after discovering 762 pounds of marijuana in a closet at a residence on 16th Street.

Francisco Leon Urrea-Castillo, 29 and Jose Albert Sillas-Aguirre, 32 were arrested after giving agents consent to search the home, both are facing charges for possession of narcotics with intent to distribute.

Law enforcement became suspicious of a green Chevy Avalanche that was suspected to be involving in smuggling options in the residence prior to the arrests.

Officials believe the Avalanche was used to recover drugs dropped by an ultra light near the first incident on Highway 80, tire treads on the truck matched those in the desert.