Border Patrol Weekly Blotter: July 9 – July 15

(07/15/2009)Border Patrol agents seized over 14,917 pounds of marijuana valued at $11,933,925, and over 401 pounds of cocaine valued at $11,255,200. Agents also seized 34.69 pounds of methamphetamine valued at $875,760 and over 46 pounds of ecstasy valued at $1,729,800. Agents arrested 18 criminal aliens and 11 gang members. There were 10 rocking incidents.

*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.


Reported on July 9, 2009


El Centro Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Calexico, California. During processing, the subject admitted to being a member of the Norteno gang. Records checks revealed he had an extensive criminal history to include assault with a deadly weapon and had been previously removed from the United States.


Marfa Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Honduras near Midland, Texas. Records checks revealed the subject had a criminal history and had been previously removed from the United States as an aggravated felon.


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 2,002 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,601,600, a 2000 tractor-trailer, and arrested a national of Mexico at the traffic checkpoint near Falfurrias, Texas. The subject presented himself for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A search revealed 53 bundles of marijuana concealed among the pallets of the shipment.


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,469 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,175,200, a 2008 Ford F-450, a 2008 trailer, and arrested a United States Citizen (USC) at the traffic checkpoint near Kingsville, Texas. The subject presented himself for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A subsequent search using the Z Backscatter X-ray revealed 88 bundles of marijuana hidden within the cabinets of the trailer.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Naco, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject had a prior conviction for sexual assault of a child in the State of Colorado and had been previously removed from the United States. He also had an active arrest warrant in the State of Colorado for probation violation.


Reported on July 10, 2009


Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,282 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,025,440, a 1999 Ford truck, and arrested a USC and an illegal alien from Mexico near Bruni, Texas. Agents performed a vehicle stop and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the vehicle. A subsequent search revealed the marijuana inside the truck.


Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,964 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,571,280, a 2007 tractor-trailer, and arrested a USC at the traffic checkpoint near Laredo, Texas. The subject presented himself for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A search revealed 70 bundles of marijuana wrapped in brown shipping tape.


New Orleans Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from El Salvador near New Orleans, Louisiana. During processing, the subject admitted to being a member of the Mara Salvatrucha 13 gang. Records checks revealed the subject had an active arrest warrant for car jacking/robbery issued in the State of California.


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,700 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,359,840, a 2008 tractor-trailer, and arrested a national of Lithuania near Sarita, Texas. The subject presented himself for inspection and a Z Backscatter X-ray revealed anomalies inside the trailer. A subsequent search revealed the marijuana.


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,278 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,022,400 from an abandoned truck near Granjeno, Texas. The vehicle was reported stolen out of Pharr, Texas.


San Diego Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 80.52 pounds of cocaine valued at $2,576,640, a Nissan Pathfinder, and arrested two nationals of Mexico at the traffic checkpoint near Pine Valley, California. The two subjects presented themselves for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the undercarriage of the vehicle. A subsequent search revealed 33 bundles of cocaine in plastic bags inside the gas tank.


Reported on July 11, 2009


Del Rio Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested one juvenile USC and seized 254 pounds of cocaine valued at $8,135,680 near Eagle Pass, Texas. Agents encountered two individuals near the Rio Grande River and as they approached, one subject absconded into Mexico. Agents searched the immediate area and found four feed sacks containing multiple bundles of cocaine.


Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,205 pounds of marijuana valued at $963,920, a 1998 tractor-trailer, and arrested a national of Mexico at the traffic checkpoint near Laredo, Texas. The subject presented himself for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A subsequent search revealed 28 bundles of marijuana.


San Diego Sector – Border Patrol agents), seized 34.69 pounds of methamphetamine valued at $875,760, a 2000 Nissan Xterra, and arrested a national of Mexico at the traffic checkpoint near Pine Valley, California. The subject presented himself for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the vehicle. A subsequent search revealed the narcotics concealed in an after-market compartment welded to the ceiling.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Lukeville, Arizona. During processing, the subject admitted to being a member of the Sureno 13 gang. Records checks revealed the subject had been previously removed from the United States.


Reported on July 12, 2009


Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,561 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,248,800, a 2000 Ford, and arrested a USC near Bruni, Texas. Following a vehicle stop, a Border Patrol canine alerted to the vehicle. A subsequent search revealed the marijuana inside the fuel tank.


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 2,082 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,665,280, a 1996 tractor-trailer, and arrested a national from Mexico at the traffic checkpoint near Sarita, Texas. The subject presented himself for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A subsequent search revealed 155 bundles inside the insulation panels.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Douglas, Arizona. During processing, the subject admitted to being a member of the Sureno Street gang, and records checks revealed he had been previously removed from the United States.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested two illegal aliens from Mexico near Jones Canyon, Arizona. Records checks revealed the first subject had multiple rape convictions in the State of California. The second subject had a previous felony conviction for narcotics. Both subjects had been previously removed from the United States.


Reported on July 13, 2009


Buffalo Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Verona, New York. The subject was identified as a member of the Sureno Street gang with a significant criminal history, including a conviction for possession/carrying a firearm.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 124 pounds of marijuana valued at $99,520, a 1995 Nissan, and arrested a USC and an illegal alien from Mexico near Wilcox, Arizona. Agents conducted a vehicle stop and discovered the marijuana. During processing, the illegal alien admitted to being a member of the Sureno 13 gang.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Santa Cruz, Arizona. During processing, the subject admitted to being a member of the Mara Salvatrucha 13 gang. Records checks revealed the subject had a criminal history and had been previously removed from the United States.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Guatemala near Douglas, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject was a convicted sex offender in the State of New Jersey, with criminal convictions for sexual assault with force and possession of a firearm with unlawful purpose. The subject had also been previously removed from the United States.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Honduras near Sonoita, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject had a criminal history including a conviction for felony sexual assault in the State of Texas. The subject had also been previously removed from the United States.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Guatemala near Sierra Vista, Arizona. Records check revealed the subject had an extensive criminal history, including a conviction for felony sexual assault in the State of California. The subject had also been previously removed from the United States.


Reported on July 14, 2009


Del Rio Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Honduras near Carrizo Springs, Texas. Records checks revealed the subject was a registered sex offender and had been convicted of indecency with a child/sexual contact.


Del Rio Sector – Border Patrol agents encountered an injured illegal alien after apprehending a narcotics load near Langtry, Texas. The alien claimed to have been thrown off a cliff by a smuggler. The subject complained of an injured foot and back pain and was airlifted to an area hospital for treatment.


Del Rio Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Del Rio, Texas. During processing, the subject admitted to being a member of the Paisas gang. Records checks revealed the subject had a criminal history and had been previously removed from the United States.


San Diego Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 66.5 pounds of cocaine valued at $542,880, a Kia Spectra, and arrested a USC at the Interstate 8 traffic checkpoint near Pine Valley, California. The cocaine was discovered in 24 separate bundles hidden within a wheel well of the vehicle.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Ajo, Arizona. During processing, the subject admitted to being a member of the Sureno 13 gang. Records checks revealed the subject had an extensive criminal history and had been previously removed from the United States.


Reported on July 15, 2009


Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Cotulla, Texas. During processing, the subject admitted to being a Sureno 13 gang member. Records checks revealed the subject had an extensive criminal history including burglary and theft, and had been previously removed from the United States.


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 46.5 pounds of Ecstasy valued at $1,729,800 while conducting bus check operations near Harlingen, Texas. A Border Patrol canine alerted to a suitcase located in the bus luggage compartment. Agents questioned the occupants of the bus but no one claimed the suitcase. A subsequent search of the suitcase revealed nine vacuum sealed bags of Ecstasy.

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