C.B.P. News Release

Desperate Smuggler in Arizona Puts Own Child’s Life in Danger

(Friday, November 06, 2009)

Yuma, Ariz. – U.S. Border Patrol agents intercepted an illegal alien smuggling attempt and discovered that the smuggler had her own child in the vehicle Thursday evening near County 11 ½ Street and the Colorado River.

Yuma Sector Communications Center personnel were monitoring the remote video surveillance system when they noticed four subjects illegally cross the international boundary near County 11 ½ Street and the Colorado River. The Communications Center personnel notified Border Patrol agents in the field and informed them that the subjects were running east, away from the border.

As Border Patrol agents closed in on the group, one of the four illegal aliens turned around and ran back into Mexico. The remaining three loaded into a dark colored Honda Accord, which sped away from the agents toward Avenue G. After a series of erratic maneuvers, the driver lost control of the vehicle and drove it into an agricultural field near the intersection of County 11 ½ Street and Avenue G, nearly colliding head on with another motorist.

Responding agents arrested the driver and three illegal aliens. One illegal alien, who is eight months pregnant, complained of severe abdominal pains and was transported to the Yuma Regional Medical Center. The rest of the group was transported to the Yuma station for further processing. The driver is subject to prosecution for alien smuggling and the three illegal aliens will be processed for deportation.

This incident highlights the smuggling organizations’ callous disregard for the safety of not only the persons they smuggle, but also that of the residents of the communities in which they operate. In this case, the driver not only put the passengers’ lives in danger, including her own 1-year old daughter, but she also nearly collided with an innocent motorist on Avenue G. Fortunately, the child was secured in a child’s seat and was not harmed.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Contacts For This News Release
Yuma Sector
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (928) 341-6520

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/newsroom/new ... 2009_5.xml