U.S. Border Patrol Weekly Blotter: February 26 - March 4

(03/06/2009)Border Patrol agents seized over 15,979 pounds of marijuana valued at $13,071,960. Agents arrested 5 criminal aliens and 4 gang members. There were 8 rocking incidents.

*This overview is compiled from incidents reported to 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 Border Patrol Headquarters.

Reported on February 26, 2009

Del Rio Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Eagle Pass, Texas. The subject claimed to have been assaulted and robbed earlier in the week by six armed Zeta gang members in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico. The subject was offered but declined medical attention.

El Paso Sector – A Border Patrol agent reported that an unidentified individual threw a rock breaking the windshield of her assigned vehicle near El Paso, Texas. She was attempting to rescue an illegal alien from the American Canal when the rock was thrown. The agent deployed less lethal munitions and the individual absconded into Mexico. The illegal alien in the canal was rescued and subsequently arrested.

Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,073 pounds of marijuana valued at $858,080, a Freightliner tractor-trailer, and arrested a United States Citizen (USC) at the traffic checkpoint near Laredo, Texas. The subject presented himself and the tractor-trailer for inspection, and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A subsequent search of the trailer revealed the marijuana intermingled with pallets of cargo.

Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,121 pounds of marijuana valued at $896,560, a Freightliner tractor-trailer, and arrested two USCs at the traffic checkpoint near Laredo, Texas. The subjects presented themselves and the tractor-trailer inspection, and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A subsequent search of the trailer revealed the marijuana intermingled with regular cargo.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 2,253 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,802,240, a Freightliner tractor-trailer, and arrested a USC at the traffic checkpoint near Sarita, Texas. The subject presented himself and the tractor-trailer for inspection, and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the tractor-trailer. A subsequent search revealed the marijuana concealed in 55-gallon drums sealed within wooden crates.

Reported on February 27, 2009

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol seized 1,958 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,566,560 and a 2001 Chevrolet Suburban near Ajo, Arizona. Agents observed the Suburban being driven by an unidentified subject in a remote area at night with its headlights off. Agents on foot signaled the driver to stop, but he ignored the agents’ instructions. Another agent successfully deployed a Controlled Tire Deflation Device. The driver maneuvered the vehicle into the desert and fled on foot with two other subjects. The marijuana was discovered in the Suburban.

Reported on February 28, 2009

Blaine Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 69 pounds of marijuana valued at $345,000, a Nissan Altima, and arrested an illegal alien from India and a national of India near Blaine, Washington. Agents observed the vehicle leaving a wooded area near the international border, and local law enforcement officers stopped the vehicle. Agents subsequently responded and discovered the marijuana inside the vehicle.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,983 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,586,000, a Peterbilt tractor-trailer, and arrested a USC at the traffic checkpoint near Falfurrias, Texas. The subject presented himself and the tractor-trailer for inspection, and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A subsequent search of the trailer revealed the marijuana commingled with the load of watermelons.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 2,214 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,771,440, a Ford F-350, and a Ford F-250 near Weslaco, Texas. When agents attempted to conduct a vehicle stop, the drivers of both vehicles failed to yield. Agents later encountered the F-250, which was reported stolen, abandoned with marijuana inside. Local Sheriff’s deputies subsequently located the abandoned F-350, which had marijuana inside, as well.

San Diego Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near San Diego, California. Inside the subject’s residence, agents seized multiple tranquilizer guns, a .45 caliber handgun, and $3,200.

Reported on March 1, 2009

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,849 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,478,880, a Peterbilt pump truck, and arrested a USC at the traffic checkpoint near Sarita, Texas. The subject presented himself and the truck for inspection, and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the vehicle. A subsequent inspection of the vehicle revealed marijuana concealed in the water tank.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,324 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,059,200 and a Chevrolet Suburban near La Rosita, Texas. Agents observed the Suburban near the Rio Grande River and conducted a vehicle stop. The driver absconded from the truck, and a subsequent search revealed marijuana inside the vehicle.

Reported on March 2, 2009

El Centro Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested 64 illegal aliens who were being transported in a Ford F-350 truck and a Nu-Wa fifth wheel trailer near El Centro, California. Agents were conducting surveillance and initiated a vehicle stop which resulted in the arrest of 64 illegal aliens. One subject was identified as the driver of the vehicle.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Douglas, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject was a registered child sex offender, with an arrest warrant for probation violation issued in the State of Kansas.

Reported on March 3, 2009

Del Rio Sector – Border Patrol agents rescued an unidentified subject after he apparently fell from a cliff near Comstock, Texas. Agents discovered the subject at the bottom of a 40-foot cliff after they heard his calls for help. Agents extracted the subject, who was transported by emergency medical services to a local hospital for treatment.

Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,098 pounds of marijuana valued at $878,240 and a 2004 Ford near Laredo, Texas. An agent observed the vehicle near a local ranch and initiated a stop. Initially the driver of the vehicle yielded, but as the agent approached the truck, the driver exited the roadway and drove through the fence of a local ranch. The agent subsequently located the abandoned vehicle and discovered 240 bundles of marijuana inside.

Reported on March 4, 2009

Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested two USCs, 43 illegal aliens from Mexico, and seized a Freightliner tractor-trailer at the traffic checkpoint near Laredo, Texas. The USC driver presented himself and the vehicle for inspection, and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the tractor-trailer. A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed the other USC in the sleeping compartment and 43 illegal aliens concealed in the tractor-trailer.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico after rescuing him from the Rio Grande River near Mission, Texas. The subject jumped into the river to abscond, but was unable to swim. Using a makeshift pole, agents pulled the subject to safety. Emergency medical services responded and transported the subject to a local hospital for treatment.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,037 pounds of marijuana valued at $829,760, an International 470 truck, and arrested a national of Cuba near Patagonia, Arizona. A Border Patrol canine alerted to the vehicle, and a subsequent search revealed the marijuana in a false compartment under the flatbed of the truck.

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