Thread: U.S. Border Patrol Weekly Blotter 10/10/08

U.S. Border Patrol Weekly Blotter: October 2, 2008 – October 8, 2008

(10/10/2008)Border Patrol agents seized over 8,260 pounds of marijuana valued at $6,608,400. Agents arrested 7 criminal aliens and 8 gang members. There were 11 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 October 2, 2008

El Paso Sector - Border Patrol agents rescued an illegal alien from Mexico east of the Bridge of the Americas Port of Entry in El Paso, Texas. Agents observed the subject in the American Canal, struggling to stay afloat and being swept downstream by the current. Agents deployed a rescue rope and pulled the subject to safety. The subject was treated on scene by emergency medical services personnel and subsequently arrested.

Rio Grande Valley Sector - Border Patrol agents arrested a United States Citizen (USC), seized 607 pounds of marijuana valued at $486,000, and an all-terrain vehicle (ATV) near Falfurrias, Texas. Agents observed the subject and two other individuals using night vision equipment while operating the ATV. When agents approached and identified themselves, the three subjects absconded into the brush. The marijuana was found on the ATV. Agents located and arrested the USC, but the other two subjects were not found. During processing, the subject admitted to being a member of the Vallucos gang.

Tucson Sector - Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Nogales, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject was a registered sex offender with an extensive criminal history including convictions for attempted rape and burglary.

Reported on October 3, 2008

Rio Grande Valley Sector - Border Patrol agents arrested a Mexican national, seized 1,542 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,233,600, and a 1995 Freightliner tractor-trailer at the Falfurrias, Texas traffic checkpoint. The subject presented himself and the tractor-trailer for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. Further inspection of the trailer revealed the marijuana hidden within the load of electrical equipment.

Rio Grande Valley Sector - Border Patrol agents arrested a USC, eight illegal aliens from Mexico and the Dominican Republic, and seized a 1996 Kenworth tractor-trailer 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 the eight illegal aliens hidden among the refrigerated cargo. Records checks confirmed the USC was a member of the Texas Syndicate prison gang.

Tucson Sector - Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Honduras near Gila Bend, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject was previously removed from the United States and had an extensive criminal history. The subject was also identified as a member of the Mara Salvatrucha 13 gang.

Tucson Sector - Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Douglas, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject was previously removed from the United States and was a convicted sex offender in Chicago, Illinois.

Reported on October 4, 2008

Tucson Sector - Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Nogales, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject was previously removed from the United States and was a convicted sex offender in the State of California.

Tucson Sector - Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Nogales, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject was previously removed from the United States as an aggravated felon and was a convicted sex offender in the State of Arizona.

Yuma Sector - Border Patrol agents seized 1,675 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,340,000, and recovered a stolen Ford F-150 pickup truck near Yuma, Arizona. The truck was found abandoned near Yuma, and the marijuana was found inside the truck.

Reported on October 5, 2008

El Paso Sector - Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Rodeo, New Mexico. Records checks revealed the subject had an active warrant of arrest for homicide issued in Ellis County, Texas.

Rio Grande Valley Sector - Border Patrol agents arrested a USC, seized 2,348 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,878,400, and a 2000 Freightliner tractor-trailer at the Sarita, Texas traffic checkpoint. A Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer and a subsequent search revealed 92 bundles of marijuana among the metal crates in the trailer.

Reported on October 6, 2008

No significant incidents to report.

Reported on October 7,

Laredo Sector - Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from El Salvador near Laredo, Texas. The subject admitted to being a member of the Mara Salvatrucha 13 gang.

Marfa Sector - Border Patrol agents assisted the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) with the seizure of 1,746 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,396,800 near Sierra Blanca, Texas. DPS requested the assistance of a Border Patrol canine on a traffic stop. The canine alerted to the trailer portion of the tractor-trailer and a subsequent search revealed the marijuana.

Reported on October 8, 2008

Laredo Sector - Border Patrol agents arrested a USC, seized $3,001 in U.S. currency, 2,088 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,670,400, and a 2000 Freightliner tractor-trailer at the Laredo North traffic checkpoint. The USC presented himself and the tractor-trailer for inspection, and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. Further inspection of the trailer revealed the marijuana hidden in a load of automotive parts.

Rio Grande Valley Sector - Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Riviera, Texas. Records checks revealed the subject was previously removed from the United States and was a member of the La Rubia gang, which is affiliated with the Mexican Mafia gang.

http://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_security/ ... 2_1008.xml

I started a new file with news stories of drug busts---on both borders----that I can email to my Congressional representatives. In this area most of them are known as pro-immigrant, although I will have to say that 2007's C.I.R. bill did not come to the floor of the US House for a vote. I'm just going by their previous positions on immigration related issues.

I intend to keep emailing new stories from the DEA, US CBP and the National Drug Intelligence Center.
http://www.usdoj.gov/dea/index.htm
http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/news_releases/
http://www.usdoj.gov/ndic/topics/ndtas.htm

When I email a story, or list of them, I remind them that we need better border security and ask them to stand against Amnesty, or Comprehensive Immigration Reform, and to stand for enforcement.
These congressmen will require a lot of work, since this is a very liberal, "blue" state.