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Ajo, Ariz. - U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Ajo Station Horse Patrol Unit seized 567 pounds of marijuana early Friday morning valued at more than $450,000.

Border Patrol agents using a thermal imaging camera spotted a group of individuals walking near State Route 85, and carrying large backpacks.

Agents from Ajo's Horse Patrol Unit responded to the area and discovered 12 burlap sacks abandoned by the subjects in an apparent attempt to avoid apprehension.

Agents transported the marijuana to the Ajo Station for processing.

In the first three months of this fiscal year (October through December), agents have seized more than 270,000 pounds of marijuana with an estimated value exceeding $122 million.

This amount represents a 17 percent increase in marijuana seizures from the same period last year.

In Fiscal Year 2009 , Tucson Sector agents seized a record-breaking 1.2 million pounds of marijuana.