Thread: Cross-border crime: US squads to investigate spillover

Cross-border crime: US squads to investigate spillover violence

by Adriana M. Chávez \ El Paso Times
Posted: 01/22/2011 12:00:00 AM MST

The FBI and the Drug Enforcement Administration have created new squads to help prevent the violence in Juárez from spilling into the El Paso area.

Both have been nicknamed the Cross Border Violence squads. The FBI's official name is Squad 15, while DEA officials said their squad doesn't have a formal name.

Both squads focus on violent crimes committed by groups responsible for the drug-related violence across the border.

David Cuthbertson, special agent in charge of the FBI's El Paso Division, said the FBI squad officially started Oct. 1 after the agency was given money for specialized operations along the border.

The squad's mission, Cuthbertson said, will focus specifically on crimes in which the victims or suspects cross the border during the commission of a violent crime.

"It allows us to keep a laser focus on the issue of cross-border violence," Cuthbertson said.

The squad will allow FBI agents to collect and stay updated on intelligence that may prevent such crimes from taking place in El Paso.

Examples of the cases the FBI squad will investigate include the U.S. Consulate slayings in March of last year of Lesley Enriquez Redelfs, a consulate employee; her husband, Arthur Redelfs, an El Paso County sheriff's detention officer; and Jorge Salcido Ceniceros, a maquiladora supervisor and the husband of consulate employee Hilda Antillon.

He also mentioned the Aug. 24 murder of a Fabens man that is believed to be linked to drugs.

Cuthbertson declined

http://www.elpasotimes.com/news/ci_17163386

Related: http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-225408.html