Right Side News reports from the Office of Border Patrol:
(04/01/2009) Border Patrol agents seized over 14,425 pounds of marijuana valued at $12,144,450. Agents also seized 35.8 pounds of cocaine valued at $1,145,600 and 142 pounds of ecstasy valued at $2,400,000. Agents arrested 10 criminal aliens and 6 gang members. There were 7 rocking incidents.
Reported on March 26, 2009
Del Rio Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 35.8 pounds of cocaine valued at $1,145,600 and arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Eagle Pass, Texas. The subject was encountered near the Rio Grande River. Knives and pepper spray were found in his pockets, and the cocaine was found in his backpack.
San Diego Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near San Diego, California. The subject threw several rocks at agents and resisted arrest. An agent subsequently deployed his Service issued Oleoresin Capsicum spray to subdue and arrest the subject.
Reported on March 27, 2009
Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,560 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,248,000, a 2000 Freightliner tractor-trailer, and arrested a national of Cuba 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 83 bundles of marijuana concealed in onion crates.
Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents rescued an illegal alien from El Salvador near Brownsville, Texas. The subject attempted to flee by jumping in the river, but he was unable to swim to the riverbank. An agent successfully pulled the subject to safety.
Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from El Salvador near Ventana, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject was previously removed from the United States and is a convicted sex offender with an active felony warrant for failure to appear issued in the State of California.
Reported on March 28, 2009
Blaine Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 144 pounds of a potent strain of marijuana known as “BC Bud” valued at $721,250 and 142 pounds of ecstasy valued at $2,400,000 near Maple Falls, Washington. Agents located two backpacks and three duffel bags abandoned alongside a road, and two additional duffel bags containing narcotics, after tracking footprints toward the international border.
Del Rio Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 299 pounds of marijuana valued at $238,800, a 2008 Ford truck, and arrested a United States Citizen (USC) near Brackettville, Texas. While being arresting, the subject verbally threatened the agents. Records checks revealed the subject is associated with both the Aryan Brotherhood and the Bandidos motorcycle gang.
Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,292 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,033,600, a 1987 Chevrolet van, and arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near McAllen, Texas. As agents converged on a vehicle leaving an area near the Rio Grande River, the driver abandoned the vehicle. However, agents found the driver in the immediate area. A search of the vehicle revealed 34 bundles of marijuana.
Reported on March 29, 2009
Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested 50 illegal aliens, 15 of whom were from China, and seized a tractor-trailer near Laredo, Texas. Agents were informed of a possibly-cloned Texas Energy vehicle when they came upon a vehicle matching the description of the suspect truck. When agents attempted to conduct a vehicle stop, the driver failed to yield, drove the truck through a fence, and absconded on foot. A search of the vehicle revealed the illegal aliens concealed in the trailer.
Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 606 pounds of marijuana valued at $484,520 and a 1999 Ford Crown Victoria after observing the vehicle being loaded with suspected narcotics near Penitas, Texas. As agents converged, the driver abandoned the vehicle and absconded.
San Diego Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 525 rounds of ammunition, and arrested two illegal aliens from Mexico after assisting law enforcement officials with a vehicle stop near Boulevard, California. A search of one of the subject’s personal effects revealed the ammunition inside his backpack.
Reported on March 30, 2009
Del Rio Sector – Border Patrol agents conducting marine patrol operations rescued three adults and an infant from a submerged vessel near Del Rio, Texas. The agents responded to a call for assistance from the National Park Service, and encountered the subjects after a brief search. All the individuals were transported to safety aboard the Border Patrol vessel.
San Diego Sector – Border Patrol agents discovered a tunnel opening in the ground approximately 25 yards north of the international boundary fence. The tunnel originated in Mexico and led to a drainage ditch near the Otay Mesa, California Port of Entry. Agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near the tunnel opening, and two additional subjects absconded to Mexico via the tunnel.
Reported on March 31, 2009
El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 627 pounds of marijuana valued at $501,296, a 1997 Dodge Ram, a hopper trailer, and arrested two nationals of Mexico at the traffic checkpoint near Las Cruces, New Mexico. The subjects presented themselves and the vehicle for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A search revealed 602 bundles of marijuana.
Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 6,792 pounds of marijuana valued at $5,433,992, two Chevrolet pickup trucks, and a Chevrolet Suburban near Lukeville, Arizona. The marijuana was found inside the abandoned vehicles.
Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,758 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,406,080 and recovered a stolen 2004 Dodge Ram truck near Casa Grande, Arizona. While patrolling the desert, agents encountered an abandoned truck covered with a camouflage tarp. A search revealed the marijuana inside the truck.
Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Tucson, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject has a warrant issued in the State of Arizona for failure to appear after being charged with child molestation. The subject had also been formally removed from the United States two other times.
Reported on April 1, 2009
El Paso Sector РBorder Patrol agents arrested a juvenile illegal alien from Mexico and seized 90 pounds of marijuana valued at $71,632 near Lordsburg, New Mexico. During processing, the subject admitted to being a Sure̱o 13 gang member.
Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,257 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,005,280, a Peterbilt tractor-trailer, and arrested a USC at the traffic checkpoint near Laredo, 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 inside the trailer.
Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested 36 illegal aliens from Mexico near Tucson, Arizona, after responding to a request for assistance from another law enforcement agency. The illegal aliens were discovered in a smuggling “stash” house.
*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.