U.S. Border Patrol Weekly Blotter: January 14 - January 20

(01/20/2010)Border Patrol agents seized over 13,014 pounds of marijuana. Agents arrested 15 criminal aliens and 7 gang members. There were 5 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 January 14, 2010

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,908 pounds of marijuana near Escobares, Texas. Agents observed a vehicle loaded with suspected narcotics leaving the Rio Grande River area. Agents located the vehicle at a local apartment complex and as they approached, the vehicle fled the area. Agents then discovered multiple bundles of marijuana abandoned at the entrance of and within an apartment.

San Diego Sector – Border Patrol agents reported the discovery of a tunnel that originated in Mexico and extended approximately ten yards into the United States near Otay Mesa, California. No subjects or contraband were discovered inside the tunnel.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Casa Grande, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject had a prior conviction for a sexual offense against a child and had been previously removed from the United States.

Reported on January 15, 2010

Del Rio Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 20 grams of marijuana, a 2000 Ford Taurus, a stolen Marlin .22 caliber rifle, and arrested a United States Citizen (USC) and a national of Mexico after conducting a vehicle stop near Carrizo Springs, Texas. Records checks revealed the USC had an active arrest warrant in the State of Texas for armed burglary of a habitation, and the Mexican national had been previously arrested for possession of stolen property.

El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near El Paso, Texas. During processing, the subject admitted to being a Sureño gang member. Records checks revealed he had an extensive criminal history, to include a prior conviction for transporting/selling narcotics in the State of California, and that he had been previously removed from the United States.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,509 pounds of marijuana, a tractor-trailer, and arrested an illegal alien from 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 55 bundles of narcotics concealed within a load of bell peppers and tomatoes.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 428 pounds of marijuana, a tractor- trailer, and arrested a USC at the traffic checkpoint near Falfurrias, Texas. A Border Patrol canine alerted to the vehicle and a search revealed 38 bundles of marijuana concealed in a false compartment in the sleeper cab of the tractor.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,634 pounds of marijuana, a tractor-trailer, and arrested a USC at the traffic checkpoint near Sarita, Texas. The subject presented herself for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A Z Backscatter X-ray revealed anomalies inside the trailer and a search revealed 120 bundles behind a false wall.

Reported on January 16, 2010

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 2,273 pounds of marijuana and a 2005 Ford van near Progreso, Texas. Agents observed several subjects loading suspected narcotics into the van near the banks of the Rio Grande River. As agents approached the van, the driver and the other subjects absconded into Mexico, abandoning the van and the narcotics.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from the Dominican Republic near Douglas, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject had a prior conviction for intercourse without consent of a female in the State of New York, and that he had been previously required to depart from the United States by an immigration judge.

Reported on January 17, 2010

El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Ysleta, Texas. During processing, the subject admitted to being a Vatos Locos Boys gang member. Records checks revealed the subject had a prior conviction for bank robbery in the State of New Mexico, and had been previously removed from the United States.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Douglas, Arizona. During processing, the subject admitted to being a Sureño 13 gang member. Records checks revealed he had a prior conviction for felony child kidnapping and had been previously removed from the United States.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Naco, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject had a prior conviction for a sexual offense on a child in the State of Wisconsin and had been previously removed from the United States.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,356 pounds of marijuana and a pickup truck near Nogales, Arizona. Agents discovered the vehicle containing 50 bundles of marijuana abandoned.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Nogales, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject had a prior conviction for sex with a minor in the State of California and have been previously removed from the United States.

Reported on January 18, 2010

El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near El Paso, Texas. Records checks revealed the subject had prior convictions for voluntary manslaughter and felony firearms possession. He had also been previously removed from the United States.

Grand Forks Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Fargo, North Dakota. Records checks revealed the subject had an active arrest warrant for possession of cocaine in the State of Texas, and had been previously removed from the United States.

San Diego Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Sudan while assisting local law enforcement officials near San Diego, California. Records checks revealed the subject had a prior felony drug conviction in the State of California, and had previously been ordered removed from the United States in absentia.

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

Reported on January 19, 2010

Marfa Sector – Border Patrol agents seized a small amount of marijuana, a loaded Taurus .357 caliber revolver, 56 rounds of ammunition, a 2006 Saturn, and arrested a USC at the traffic checkpoint near Sierra Blanca, Texas. The subject presented himself for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed the marijuana concealed in a box and the weapon inside a case on the rear passenger seat.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,060 pounds of marijuana near Lochiel, Arizona. Agents were conducting routine patrol operations in an area notorious for smuggling and a Border Patrol canine led agents to 21 bundles of marijuana hidden in the brush.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Nogales, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject had a prior conviction for felony rape/victim drugged and was a registered sex offender in the State of California.

Reported on January 20, 2010

Del Rio Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Carrizo Springs, Texas. During processing, the subject admitted to being an 18th Street gang member and records checks revealed he had been previously removed from the United States.

Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,178 pounds of marijuana and a 2007 GMC near Bruni, Texas. Agents began to follow the vehicle and the driver sped off, eventually abandoning the vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed 100 bundles of marijuana inside the bed and cab of the truck.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Douglas, Arizona. During processing, the subject admitted to being a Sureño 13 gang member and records checks revealed he had been previously removed from the United States.

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