Border Patrol Weekly Blotter: July 30 - August 5

(08/05/2009)Border Patrol agents seized over 5,967 pounds of marijuana valued at $7,193,660, more than 32 pounds of heroin valued at $2,592,000 and 1.06 pounds of methamphetamine valued at $25,440. Agents arrested 11 criminal aliens and 10 gang members. There were 8 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 30, 2009


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 Los Paisas gang. Records checks revealed the subject had a prior felony conviction for aggravated assault on a police officer and had been previously removed from the United States.


El Centro Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested two nationals of Mexico, 35 illegal aliens from Mexico, and seized two 1999 tractor-trailers near Brawley, California. A Border Patrol canine alerted to both vehicles, and agents subsequently discovered 26 subjects locked inside one trailer and nine additional subjects concealed in the cab of the second tractor.


El Centro Sector – Border Patrol agents reported that two agents were assaulted by two United States Citizens (USCs) at the traffic checkpoint near Westmoreland, California. The subjects presented themselves for inspection and one of the subjects offered agents a suspended driver’s license. A search of the vehicle revealed small amounts of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. As agents escorted the subjects from their vehicle, the subjects became combative and assaulted the two agents. Both subjects were subdued and taken into custody.


Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Cotulla, Texas. During processing, the subject admitted to being a member of the Mexican Mafia gang. Records checks revealed he had an extensive criminal history including assault on an officer and assault causing bodily injury. The subject had also been previously removed from the United States.


Reported on July 31, 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 Mara Salvatrucha 13 gang. Records checks revealed the subject had been previously removed from the United States.


Marfa Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 2 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,648, a 1991 Ford van, three unloaded handguns, and arrested two USCs at the traffic checkpoint near Sierra Blanca, Texas. The subjects presented themselves for inspection and a search revealed the weapons and marijuana in the vehicle. Records checks on one subject revealed an extensive criminal history including convictions for falsifying checks, burglary, forgery with intent to defraud and resisting arrest.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Guatemala near Douglas, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject had prior convictions for burglary and forcible touching in the State of New York, 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 driving under the influence and an active arrest warrant for aggravated sexual assault of a child under 14 with force issued in the State of California. The subject had also been previously removed from the United States.


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 sexual conduct/molestation of a minor in the State of Arizona, and had been previously removed from the United States.


Reported on August 1, 2009


El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near El Paso, Texas. During processing, the subject admitted to being a member of the Barrio Azteca gang. Records checks revealed the subject had an extensive criminal history to include theft, burglary and assault on a federal officer. The subject had also been previously removed from the United States.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 420 pounds of marijuana valued at $336,320 and arrested nine illegal aliens who were transporting the narcotics near Douglas, Arizona. Records checks revealed one of the subjects had a prior conviction for second degree sexual abuse in the State of New York and had been previously removed from the United States.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents were notified of a possible ultra light aircraft incursion near Nogales, Arizona. The aircraft was located utilizing surveillance equipment and was observed dropping suspected contraband prior to returning to Mexico. Agents responded to the drop site and recovered 180 pounds of marijuana valued at $144,240.


Reported on August 2, 2009


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents, with the assistance of CBP Air and Marine assets, rescued and arrested two illegal aliens from Mexico near Falfurrias, Texas. The subjects placed a distress call to local law enforcement officials who notified the Border Patrol. Agents and CBP Air and Marine initiated a search and located the subjects. One of the subjects required medical attention and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 32.40 pounds of Mexican Brown heroin valued at $2,592,000, 1.06 pounds of methamphetamine valued at $25,440, a 2007 Chevrolet Aveo, and arrested a USC at the traffic checkpoint near Falfurrias, Texas. The subject presented herself for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the vehicle. A subsequent search revealed the narcotics hidden in the dashboard.


Yuma Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near San Luis, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject had extensive criminal and immigration histories to include a conviction for predatory criminal sexual assault in the State of Illinois. The subject had also been previously removed from the United States.


Reported on August 3, 2009


Tucson Sector – While performing patrol duties, a Border Patrol agent encountered and approached a group of suspected illegal aliens near the village of Hickiwan, Arizona. The group scattered and fled into the desert, but the agent was able to arrest one subject and seize two handguns, a sawed-off shotgun, and ammunition. The subject arrested was also found to be in possession of approximately five grams of cocaine.


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


Reported on August 4, 2009


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested two illegal aliens from Mexico who reported seeing a subject in distress near Falfurrias, Texas. Agents initiated a search and rescued the subject, a Guatemalan national, who was suffering from severe dehydration and was unable to walk. The subject was transported to a local hospital for treatment.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,016 pounds of marijuana valued at $812,960, an Oldsmobile Alero, and arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Douglas, Arizona. Agents, conducting surveillance of an abandoned trailer that was previously used in illicit activity, observed the vehicle back into the driveway where the trailer was located. Agents conducted an immigration inspection and arrested the subject. The marijuana was found in the vehicle and in the trailer.


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 had been previously removed from the United States.



Reported on August 5, 2009


Blaine Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 577 pounds of “BC budâ€