Weekly report from the Customs and Border Protection (CBP), April 26 – May 3, 2015
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CBP’s top priority is to keep terrorists and their weapons from entering the U.S. while welcoming all legitimate travelers and commerce. CBP officers and agents enforce all applicable U.S. laws, including against illegal immigration, narcotics smuggling and illegal importation. CBP deploys highly trained law enforcement personnel who apprehend more than 1,000 individuals each day for suspected violations of U.S. laws.
CBP’s border security mission is led at ports of entry by CBP officers from the Office of Field Operations, along U.S. borders by agents from the Office of Border Patrol and from the air and sea by agents from the Office of Air and Marine. Also at ports of entry, agriculture specialists are deployed to protect U.S. agriculture from the introduction of pests or disease from overseas sources.
Nogales CBP Officers Seize $229K in Cocaine
Friday, May 1, 2015 | TUCSON, Ariz. – Customs and Border Protection officers at the Dennis DeConcini crossing arrested Esgar Leonel Duran, 37, of Rio Rico, Arizona, after finding eight packages of cocaine in his Toyota sedan Thursday. A narcotics-detection canine…Read More
San Luis CBP Officers Seize $143K Worth of Meth
Friday, May 1, 2015 | TUCSON, Ariz. – U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Port of San Luis arrested a 38-year-old Mexican national in connection with a failed attempt to smuggle nearly 48 pounds of methamphetamine into the U.S. Officers referred Adolfo…
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U.S. Customs and Border Protection Opens Announcement to Hire Additional CBP Officers
Friday, May 1, 2015 | WASHINGTON—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the agency responsible for securing U.S. ports of entry and international borders, is accepting applications nationwide for CBP officer positions at some air, land, and sea ports on the Southwest border…
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CBP P-3 Crew Affects $65M Cocaine Disruption
Friday, May 1, 2015 | CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Air and Marine agents working as part of Operation Martillo detected a panga-type vessel carrying nearly 882 pounds of cocaine worth more than $65 million. A CBP P-3 Long Range…
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CBP at JFK Intercepts Pests in Fruit Cache
Friday, May 1, 2015 | JAMAICA, N.Y. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection agriculture specialists at John F. Kennedy International airport recently intercepted was is believed to be the first Mediterranean fruit fly arriving from South America. CBP at JFK Intercepts…
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Nogales CBP Officers Seize $1.4M in Drugs
Thursday, April 30, 2015 | TUCSON, Ariz. – Customs and Border Protection officers arrested two Mexican nationals and three U.S. citizens during separate smuggling attempts this week at the Port of Nogales. CBP officers inspecting shipment of bell peppers, discover 2,700…
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CBP Officers Seize Marijuana, Ammunition
Thursday, April 30, 2015 | TUCSON, Ariz. – Customs and Border Protection officers arrested two Arizona women during separate incidents this week at the Port of Douglas. CBP officers discovered 7,800 rounds of ammunition within the quarter panels of a smuggling vehicle, as…
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CBP Officers Make Seven Drug Seizures Wednesday
Thursday, April 30, 2015 | EL PASO, TEXAS — U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations officers working at the El Paso port of entry made seven drug busts Wednesday seizing 9.8 pounds of cocaine and 551 pounds of marijuana in the enforcement actions. “This… Read More
CBP Seizes $338K in Cocaine at the Hidalgo International Bridge
Thursday, April 30, 2015 | HIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge arrested a 19-year-old man from McAllen, Texas after discovering 16 packages of alleged cocaine hidden within the Chevy Malibu he…
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Anthony J. Porvaznik, 26-year Border Patrol Veteran, Named Chief Patrol Agent of Yuma Sector
Thursday, April 30, 2015 | Yuma, Ariz.–Anthony J. Porvaznik, an agent with 26 years of law enforcement experience with the U.S. Border Patrol, has been promoted to Chief Patrol Agent of Yuma Sector. Charged with overseeing operations in Yuma Sector’s area of operations,…
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Baltimore CBP Intercepts First in Port Weevil
Thursday, April 30, 2015 | BALTIMORE – A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) entomologist confirmed April 9 that U. S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations (OFO) agriculture specialists discovered a new pest in the Baltimore area when they…
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Yuma Agents Seize Marijuana Worth Over $1.4 Million
Thursday, April 30, 2015 | YUMA, Ariz. – In separate events Thursday, Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents stopped two vehicles transporting drugs into the United States from Mexico and seized 2,884 pounds of marijuana worth more than $1.4 million. Yuma Border Patrol agents…
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Subject With Warrant Detained at Checkpoint, Drugs Seized
Thursday, April 30, 2015 | YUMA, Ariz. – Almost 24 hours after Yuma Police Department officials released an alert regarding a female wanted for burglary, Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents apprehended the suspect Thursday when she attempted to travel through the Interstate 8 (…
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CBP Intercepts $60K in Cocaine Stashed in Food
Thursday, April 30, 2015 | HOUSTON – U. S. Customs and Border Protection officers working at George Bush Intercontinental Airport intercepted a passenger carrying more than four pounds of cocaine valued at more than $60,000, April 24. CBP officers discovered these wafer…Read More
Border Patrol Agents Nab Two Calexico Men Smuggling Cocaine
Wednesday, April 29, 2015 | CALEXICO, Calif. – Tuesday, El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Calexico Station arrested two Calexico residents attempting to smuggle more than 28 pounds of cocaine stuffed into a duffle bag. Calexico Station agents discovered…
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Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol agents save drug smugglers’ lives
Wednesday, April 29, 2015 | HARLINGEN, Texas −− Border Patrol agents saved the lives of two narcotics smugglers who crashed their vehicle when they refused to stop for agents Wednesday morning. Vehicle narcotic smugglers were driving The incident occurred when Harlingen…
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Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol unveils new Horse Patrol facility
Wednesday, April 29, 2015 | MISSION, Texas ̶̶ The U.S. Border Patrol unveiled its new Horse Patrol Unit facility during a news conference held in Mission this morning. US Border Patrol Law Enforcement Operations Directorate Chief Scott A. Luck poses with new Horse Patrol…
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CBP, FURA intercept a vessel with 149 pounds of cocaine near Desecheo
Wednesday, April 29, 2015 | AGUADILLA, Puerto Rico —U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Air and Marine agents, and Puerto Rico Police Department Joint Forces of Rapid Action (FURA, for its Spanish acronym) officers seized 149 pounds (67.6 kilos) of cocaine after…
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U.S. and Senegal Sign Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement
Wednesday, April 29, 2015 | WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Customs and Border Protection and Senegal Customs signed a Customs Mutual Assistance Agreement on April 27 in Senegal marking a significant milestone in collaboration on security and trade facilitation between the two… Read More
Carrizo Springs Station Border Patrol Agents Arrest Convicted Sex Offender
Tuesday, April 28, 2015 | DEL RIO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Carrizo Springs Station apprehended a convicted sex offender with an extensive criminal history on April 26. Agents patrolling on a local ranch encountered Sergio Paul Martinez-Molina, 42,…
Eagle Pass CBP Officers Seize Cocaine, Heroin at Port of Entry
Tuesday, April 28, 2015 | EAGLE PASS, Texas – On April 22, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Eagle Pass Port of Entry seized nearly half a million dollars worth of narcotics in two unrelated enforcement efforts. CBP officers discovered 10 packages of…
Border Patrol Explorer Post 925 Takes First Place At 10th Annual Criminal Justice Competition
Tuesday, April 28, 2015 | EAGLE PASS, Texas – On April 24, the Eagle Pass South Border Patrol Explorers Post 925 competed in the 10th Annual Southwest Texas Junior College Regional Criminal Justice Competition in Uvalde, garnering the top overall team award. A total of 25…
Rio Grande Valley Border Patrol agents rescue 35 people at Falfurrias Checkpoint
Tuesday, April 28, 2015 | FALFURRIAS, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Rio Grande Valley Sector rescued 35 people concealed in a tractor-trailer early Sunday morning. The rescue occurred when a man, who is a United States citizen, approached the Falfurrias Border…
Agents Foil Methamphetamine Smuggling Attempt and Discover Sophisticated Cross-Border Tunnel
Tuesday, April 28, 2015 | CALEXICO, Calif. – On Saturday, El Centro Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Calexico Station foiled an illegal narcotics smuggling attempt of more than 69 pounds of methamphetamine and subsequently discovered a sophisticated, cross-border…
CBP Officers Discover More Than 50 Pounds of Cocaine in Mexicali Family’s Vehicle
Monday, April 27, 2015 | WINTERHAVEN, Calif. — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Andrade port of entry Saturday found 50 pounds of cocaine hidden in the car of a family with three kids. CBP officers at the Andrade port of entry find 50 pounds of cocaine in…
CBP Officers Find Hidden Man Wedged Under Backseat of Pickup Truck at Otay Mesa Border
Monday, April 27, 2015 | SAN DIEGO — U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers at the Otay Mesa port of entry Sunday helped free a man they found, hidden in a compartment specially built under the backseat of a pickup truck. CBP officers at the Otay Mesa port of entry…
CBP Marine Facility Gets Facelift
Monday, April 27, 2015 | PORT ARANSAS, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Air and Marine recently announced the completion of renovations to a local 6,480 square-foot Marine Unit facility aimed at improving security and upgrading existing systems….
Rio Grande Valley Agents arrest 4 sex offenders, 4 gang members and seize nearly 2 tons of marijuana over the weekend
Monday, April 27, 2015 | EDINBURG, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Rio Grande Valley Sector arrested four sex offenders, three Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) and one 18th Street gang members and seized nearly 2 tons of marijuana over the weekend. Bundles seized by Rio…
CBP Seizes 165 Pounds of Marijuana at the Progreso International Bridge
Monday, April 27, 2015 | PROGRESO, Texas—Officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Progreso International Bridge seized 165 pounds of alleged marijuana that was discovered within a Chevy Silverado driven by a Lyford, Texas man…
Comstock Border Patrol, CBP Air and Marine Find Lost Kayakers
Monday, April 27, 2015 | COMSTOCK, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to the Comstock Station and Special Operations Detachment BORSTAR Unit assisted Val Verde County Sheriff’s deputies, Texas Game Wardens and CBP Office of Air and Marine agents in the successful…
CBP Air and Marine Agent Assists 4 Injured in Coastal Emergency
Monday, April 27, 2015 | SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico – A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Air and Marine Emergency Medical Service (AMEMS) member assisted four swimmers that were swept into rocks last Friday in a beach in the northern coast of the island. A…
CBP in San Juan Seizes 95 Pounds of Cocaine Inside Container
Monday, April 27, 2015 | SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Field Operations officers seized Friday 95 pounds (43.2 kilos) of cocaine inside a container at the San Juan seaport. 41 bricks of cocaine found inside 2 duffle bags…
CBP Formally Changes Director for Mid-Atlantic Operations
Monday, April 27, 2015 | BALTIMORE – In a time-honored tradition, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Baltimore Office of Field Operations formally changed leaders during a change of command ceremony at the Customs House Friday. Augustine Moore takes over leadership…
CBP Issues Guidance on Temporary Exportation of Firearms
Monday, April 27, 2015 | NEW ENGLAND— U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers throughout New England are providing guidance to assist cross-border travelers who intend to transport personal firearms and ammunition out of the country, temporarily. CBP will continue…