Big haul for Indian drug unit

Native American drug trackers using ancient sign-cutting techniques followed vehicle tracks to a load of marijuana weighing 7,000 pounds.

It was the largest drug seizure since the drug trackers known as the Shadow Wolves were reassigned to Immigration and Customs Enforcement in October, said Lauren Mack, an ICE spokeswoman.

The trackers located vehicle tracks near the Tohono O'odham Indian Nation village of Ventana early Friday and followed them even though smugglers attempted to hide their tracks, Mack said. The tracks led officers to three trucks loaded with marijuana.

Southern Arizona is the nation's main gateway for pot smuggling.