March 20, 2009
Right Side News reports from the Office of Border Patrol:
(03/18/2009)Border Patrol agents seized over 18,182 pounds of marijuana valued at $15,162,750. Agents arrested 13 criminal aliens and 5 gang members. There were 5 rocking incidents.

Reported on March 12, 2009

Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents assisted local law enforcement officers with a riot at the Rio Grande Detention Center near Laredo, Texas. Agents provided perimeter security, and the Office of CBP Air and Marine (A&M) supplied air cover.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested a United States Citizen (USC), three illegal aliens, and seized a Cadillac Deville at the traffic checkpoint near Sarita, Texas. The USC presented himself for inspection, and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed the three illegal aliens in the trunk.

San Diego Sector – A Border Patrol agent was assaulted by an illegal alien from Mexico during a vehicle stop near Alpine, California. The subject and other occupants of an Isuzu Rodeo attempted to abscond after stopping for the agent. While being taken into custody, the subject struck the agent several times and attempted to strangle him. The subject was subdued and placed under arrest.

Reported on March 13, 2009

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested three USCs, four illegal aliens, and seized a Dodge Intrepid and a Chevrolet Impala at the traffic checkpoint near Sarita, Texas. The USCs presented themselves for inspection in two separate vehicles when a Border Patrol canine alerted to the vehicles. A search revealed a total of four individuals in the trunks.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 510 pounds of marijuana valued at $408,000, recovered a stolen 2006 Chevrolet Malibu, and arrested a USC near McAllen, Texas. Agents observed a raft in the Rio Grande River carrying several bundles of suspected narcotics. A short time later, the Malibu was observed leaving from the same area. Agents attempted to perform a vehicle stop, but the driver fled. Agents arrested the subject after a short foot chase.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested a USC, three Iraqi nationals, and seized a 2000 Chevrolet pickup while conducting a vehicle stop near Sullivan City, Texas. Agents witnessed the subjects make an illegal entry into the United States by wading across the river and then head further north in the pickup.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Nogales, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject had a prior conviction for Voluntary Manslaughter in the State of California and was sentenced to 12 years in prison.

Reported on March 14, 2009

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,175 pounds of marijuana valued at $940,000 and a 1984 Chevrolet Silverado near Abram, Texas. Agents observed a vehicle driving away from the vicinity of the Rio Grande River and attempted to make contact. When the driver saw agents, he drove back to the river where he abandoned the vehicle and fled into Mexico. The marijuana was discovered inside the vehicle.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested five illegal aliens from Mexico, seized a handgun and 180.3 grams of marijuana while conducting surveillance in Nogales, Arizona. The agents were investigating alien smuggling activities when they encountered the subjects. The loaded handgun was found tied to one subject’s back and another of the subjects was in possession of the marijuana.

Reported on March 15, 2009

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 5,612 pounds of marijuana valued at $4,489,280, a 1999 Freightliner tractor-trailer, and arrested a national of Mexico at the Sarita, Texas traffic checkpoint. The subject presented himself and the tractor-trailer for inspection, and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A search of the trailer revealed 288 bundles of marijuana concealed in a shipment of ceramic tile and grout.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents rescued three illegal aliens from Mexico near Tucson, Arizona. Agents were notified by local law enforcement officials of a 911 call from subjects claiming to have been lost in the desert for five days. After an extensive search, agents located the aliens and removed them safely from the desert.

Reported on March 16, 2009

Blaine Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 147 pounds of marijuana valued at $734,750 near Lynden, Washington. Agents observed a subject loading bags of suspected narcotics into a 1997 Dodge Caravan near the international border. An agent followed the vehicle to a residential area where the driver pulled over and absconded. A Border Patrol canine alerted to the vehicle and a subsequent search revealed the marijuana inside.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 9,624 pounds of marijuana valued at $7,699,520, a 1999 Kenworth tractor-trailer, and arrested a USC at the Sarita, Texas traffic checkpoint. The subject presented himself and the tractor-trailer for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A search of the trailer revealed 338 bundles concealed in a shipment of glass windows and window frames.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – A Border Patrol agent was fired upon by a narcotics smuggler near Mission, Texas. The agent observed a stolen Ford F-250 being loaded with suspected narcotics, and attempted to make contact. The driver saw the agent, made a u-turn, and drove back to the Rio Grande River. After coming to a stop, the passenger exited the vehicle and fired several shots at the agent with an unknown caliber handgun. The agent returned fire with his Border Patrol issued M-4 rifle. The driver and passenger abandoned the vehicle and absconded into Mexico. Agents subsequently discovered 1,114 pounds of marijuana valued at $891,200 inside the vehicle.

Reported on March 17, 2009

San Diego Sector – Border Patrol agents seized a 2006 Chrysler, a handgun and four magazines, and arrested a USC and an illegal alien from Mexico near Murrieta, California. The USC driver failed to stop at a checkpoint, and agents conducted a vehicle stop resulting in the arrests and seizures.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Naco, Arizona. Records check revealed the subject had been previously removed from the United States and is a convicted sex offender in the State of California for sexual intercourse with a minor.

Reported on March 18, 2009

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Douglas, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject is a convicted sex offender in the State of California and is also a member of the Sureno 13 street gang.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Douglas, Arizona. The subject, a Sureno 13 gang member, became combative during the arrest, and the agent was able to subdue the subject with his Border Patrol issued baton.
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*This overview is compiled from incidents reported to the Office of Border Patrol and is not intended to reflect all Border Patrol enforcement actions. Most arrests and seizures fail to meet the requirements for mandatory reporting to the Office of Border Patrol.