Right Side News reports from the Office of Border Patrol:
Border Patrol agents seized over 21,895 pounds of marijuana valued at $17,516,536 and 11.79 pounds of heroin valued at $943, 100. Agents arrested 7 criminal aliens and 7 gang members. There were 10 rocking incidents.
Reported on March 19, 2009
El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents seized a 2006 Chevy Silverado, approximately $299,920 in U.S. currency, and arrested two nationals of Mexico at the El Paso, Texas Port of Entry. Agents were assisting Customs and Border Protection Officers who were conducting outbound operations when they encountered the subjects.
Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Tucson, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject had a prior conviction for child molestation in the State of California.
Reported on March 20, 2009
El Paso Sector РBorder Patrol agents seized 271 pounds of marijuana valued at $217,168 and arrested four subjects who were transporting the marijuana via backpacks near Rodeo, New Mexico. One subject, an illegal alien from Mexico, admitted to being a Sure̱o 13 gang member.
El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,403 pounds of marijuana valued at $ 1,122,560 and a 2001 Ford Excursion near Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The agents observed the Excursion on the opposite side of the highway and turned to investigate the vehicle, when the driver drove through a barbed wire fence and into the desert toward the border. The driver abandoned the vehicle and continued on foot back into Mexico.
Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,517 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,213,200, a 2006 Sterling tractor with tandem trailers, and arrested a United States Citizen (USC) near Laredo, Texas. The subject presented himself and the vehicles for inspection when a Border Patrol canine alerted to the first trailer. A search revealed 40 bundles of narcotics wrapped in clear cellophane.
Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,079 pounds of marijuana valued at $863,200, a Dodge Durango, a Plymouth sedan, and arrested three USCs and three illegal aliens from Mexico near McAllen, Texas. An agent reported that several subjects threw rocks at him and when other agents responded to assist, they encountered the six subjects, two vehicles, and the marijuana.
Reported on March 21, 2009
Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested a juvenile and seized 1,106 pounds of marijuana valued at $884,800 near Zapata, Texas. Agents approached several subjects after they observed them hiding what appeared to be narcotics near some brush. The subjects ran, but one individual was caught and arrested.
Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested a USC, 13 illegal aliens from Mexico and El Salvador, and seized a tractor-trailer near Pharr, Texas. The vehicle was originally encountered by State law enforcement officials.
Tucson Sector – A Border Patrol agent assisted law enforcement officials in the rescue of an individual involved in a vehicle accident near Casa Grande, Arizona. The agent, a certified emergency medical technician, stabilized the individual until additional emergency medical services arrived.
Reported on March 22, 2009
Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested two USCs, three illegal aliens from Brazil, and seized a 2009 Chevrolet Impala at the traffic checkpoint near Sarita, Texas. The driver, a USC, presented himself and the sedan for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trunk of the car. A search revealed the three subjects from Brazil in the trunk. Records checks revealed the two USCs had extensive criminal records.
Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested a national of Mexico, seized 332 pounds of marijuana valued at $265,720, and a 1997 Dodge Caravan near Nogales, Arizona. The subject intentionally drove the Dodge Caravan, head-on, into an agent’s Border Patrol vehicle before being arrested.
Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 2,301 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,841,160, a 2000 International truck, and arrested a national of Mexico at the traffic checkpoint near Amado, Arizona. The subject presented himself and the truck for inspection when a Border Patrol canine alerted to the vehicle. A search revealed 101 bundles of the narcotics wrapped in aluminum foil.
Yuma Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,355 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,084,160, a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado, and recovered a stolen 2000 Chevrolet Silverado near Wellton, Arizona. Agents observed a vehicle as it attempted to make its way north of the international border. When agents made contact with the vehicle, the driver made a u-turn and drove back to the border in an attempt to evade apprehension. Several unidentified subjects abandoned the vehicle and absconded into Mexico. The second abandoned vehicle was found nearby with no occupants or contraband.
Reported on March 23, 2009
Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 6,273 pounds of marijuana valued at $5,018,400, a 1998 Freightliner tractor-trailer, and arrested a USC at the traffic checkpoint near Falfurrias, Texas. The subject presented himself and the tractor-trailer for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A search revealed the marijuana concealed inside the trailer.
San Diego Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 11.79 pounds of heroin valued at $943,100, a 2008 Mazda, and arrested a USC near San Clemente, California. Agents observed the subject’s vehicle traveling northbound on I-5 and conducted a vehicle stop. A Border Patrol canine alerted to the vehicle, and a subsequent field test on two blocks of cheese observed in the front seat tested positive for heroin.
Reported on March 24, 2009
San Diego Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested a national of Somalia near San Diego, California. Records checks revealed the subject had an extensive criminal history and was an immigration status violator.
Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Nogales, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject had previously been convicted of armed robbery and was sentenced to four years in prison.
Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 2,382 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,905,880, a 2002 Dodge Ram truck, and a loaded Taurus 9 mm handgun near Arivaca, Arizona. Agents observed a vehicle traveling with its headlights turned off and attempted to conduct a vehicle stop. The driver of the vehicle failed to yield and agents deployed a controlled tire deflation device. After the vehicle stopped, the driver abandoned the vehicle and absconded. Agents discovered the marijuana and handgun inside. Records checks revealed that the vehicle was reported stolen. Reported on March 25, 2009
Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 2,573 pounds of marijuana valued at $2,058,400, a 1997 Freightliner tractor-trailer, and arrested a USC at the traffic checkpoint near Falfurrias, Texas. 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 the marijuana concealed in metal containers. Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,189 pounds of marijuana valued at $950,864 near Ajo, Arizona. Agents secured 60 bundles of marijuana after backpackers abandoned the narcotics and absconded.
Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents rescued an illegal alien from Mexico near Quijotoa, Arizona. After apprehending 27 illegal aliens, agents were advised that the subject had been left behind and was in distress. Agents located and rescued her, and the subject was subsequently transported to a local hospital for treatment of severe dehydration.
Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 90 pounds of marijuana valued at $72,160 near Nogales, Arizona. Agents observed two subjects carrying bundles of suspected narcotics from the international border to a vacant residence. As agents approached the residence, two subjects exited the home and absconded to Mexico. Agents received consent to search the residence and recovered four bundles of marijuana.
Yuma Sector – Border Patrol agents rescued an individual from a canal near San Luis, Arizona. Agents observed the subject fall into the canal and struggle against the water current. Agents deployed a rescue device and extracted the individual from the canal. The subject declined medical attention.
*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.