The U.S. Border Patrol arrested 16 people who crossed the border illegally carrying 725 pounds of marijuana worth nearly $1 million.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office says that on Feb. 4, the U.S. Border Patrol turned over 16 suspects and 14 handmade backpacks containing marijuana.

According to the agents, they spotted a large group of people carrying the backpacks south of Interstate 8 near Gila Bend. As Border Patrol agents approached them, the suspects tried to hide themselves and the backpacks in the brush.

The 16 men were taken to the Wellton station for processing.

MCSO says the bags weighed a total of nearly 725 pounds and contained marijuana with a street value of approximately $1 million.

All 16 of the men have been charged with the illegal transporting of marijuana.

Court records show that there were two other seizures during the same period, both with a street value of just over $300,000.