U.S. Border Patrol Weekly Blotter: April 2 - April 8

(04/09/2009)Border Patrol agents seized over 23,567 pounds of marijuana valued at $18,854,440. Agents arrested 11 criminal aliens and 10 gang members. There were 15 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 April 2, 2009

Marfa Sector – A Border Patrol agent arrested two United States Citizens (USC), two illegal aliens from Mexico, seized 532 pounds of marijuana valued at $425,600, and a hand gun near Dryden, Texas. The agent conducted a vehicle stop resulting in the discovery of the 10 duffle bags of marijuana, the weapon, and the arrest of the subjects.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested a USC, four illegal aliens from Mexico, and recovered a 2007 Chevrolet Malibu at the Highway 86 traffic checkpoint near Three Points, Arizona. The USC presented herself for inspection, and agents noticed the rear of the vehicle appeared heavily weighted. A search of the vehicle revealed four illegal aliens hidden in the trunk.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Ajo, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject was previously deported from the United States and is a registered sex offender who served six years in prison following a conviction for performing a lewd act upon a child.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Peru near Tucson, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject was previously deported from the United States. Records checks also revealed the subject is a registered sex offender and was convicted of sexual contact with an individual less than eleven years of age in the State of New York.

Reported on April 3, 2009

Blaine Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 126 pounds of MDMA (commonly referred to as ecstasy) valued at $2,394,000. Agents discovered sign indicating approximately four subjects had crossed the international border. Agents tracked the sign and discovered two abandoned duffel bags containing vacuum-sealed bags of ecstasy.

El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested two USCs and seized $397,990 in U.S. currency at the traffic checkpoint near Las Cruces, New Mexico. The subjects presented themselves for inspection in a Freightliner tractor-trailer and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A search revealed the currency concealed inside. Records checks revealed one subject had a warrant of arrest for misuse of a credit card issued in the State of Georgia.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 3,582 pounds of marijuana valued at $2,866,000, a 1999 Freightliner 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 search revealed the marijuana concealed inside a load of tar.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,102 pounds of marijuana valued at $881,600, a 1988 Chevrolet van, and arrested a USC near Mission, Texas. Agents observed the van near the Rio Grande River and conducted a vehicle stop. The driver pulled over and attempted to flee on foot, but was later apprehended.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from El Salvador and seized 450 pounds of marijuana valued at $360,160 near Eloy, Arizona. Agents conducting patrol duties encountered the subject and seven backpacks containing the marijuana. The subject admitted to being a member of the Mara Salvatrucha 13 gang, and records checks revealed he had an extensive criminal history.

Tucson Sector – A Border Patrol agent seized 1,273 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,018,400 and recovered a stolen 2008 Dodge Ram near Whetstone, Arizona. The truck was found abandoned with the marijuana in the bed of the vehicle.

Reported on April 4, 2009

New Orleans Sector – A Border Patrol agent was assaulted by an illegal alien from Honduras during a vehicle stop near Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The subject physically resisted arrest and attempted to grab the agent's Service-issued handgun. The agent deployed his Service-issued Oleoresin Capsicum spray and effected the arrest.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,669 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,334,800, a loaded .45 caliber handgun, $12,400 in U.S. currency, a 2007 Freightliner 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. An inspection revealed 16 bundles of marijuana concealed in a load of housing insulation. The handgun and currency were found in a duffle bag inside the tractor.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested 13 illegal aliens and seized a Ford Crown Victoria near Riviera, Texas. When agents attempted to conduct a vehicle stop, the driver drove the vehicle off of the highway into a fence, and absconded on foot. Eight of the illegal aliens arrested were discovered inside of the vehicle, and five were found locked in the trunk.

Reported on April 5, 2009

Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 269.6 pounds of cocaine valued at $8,627,200, a 2002 Sterling tractor-trailer, and arrested a USC at the traffic checkpoint in Laredo, Texas. The subject presented himself and the tractor-trailer for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A search revealed 100 bundles of cocaine wrapped in electrical tape.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 5,334 pounds of marijuana valued at $4,267,200, a 2006 Volvo 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. An inspection revealed 151 bundles of marijuana concealed in a load of papayas.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 2,615 pounds of marijuana valued at $2,092,040, a 1994 Dodge van, and arrested a national of Mexico near Mercedes, Texas. An agent observed a suspicious vehicle and turned around to investigate it. The vehicle stopped immediately and the driver attempted to flee on foot. The subject was apprehended and the marijuana was discovered inside the vehicle.

Reported on April 6, 2009

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Tucson, Arizona. During processing, the subject was identified as a member of the Sureño gang. Records checks revealed he was the subject of an arrest warrant for a weapons offense issued in the State of California.

Yuma Sector – Border Patrol agents recovered a stolen 2008 GMC Sierra truck, a 2003 Chevrolet Silverado truck, and seized 3,146 pounds of marijuana valued at $2,516,800 near San Luis, Arizona. Agents discovered a breach in the international border fence and later found the GMC truck abandoned in the desert. A subsequent search revealed marijuana inside the vehicle. A short time later, agents encountered the abandoned Silverado truck and a search revealed additional marijuana inside the vehicle.

Reported on April 7, 2009

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,238 pounds of marijuana valued at $990,080 and arrested 16 illegal aliens near Port Isabel, Texas. Agents arrested the illegal aliens after responding to a call from local law enforcement officers. The marijuana was discovered nearby; however, the subjects were not associated with the contraband.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents served a Federal search warrant on a ranch near Elgin, Arizona. The agents seized 1,318 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,054,400, 27 firearms, 2,295 rounds of ammunition, and several vehicles.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Benson, Arizona. Records checks revealed he is the subject of a warrant of arrest for a felony murder/firearm incident issued in the State of Texas.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Naco, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject was previously removed from the United States and had been convicted of 1st degree sexual abuse in the State of New York.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Sells, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject is a registered sex offender and was convicted of sexual battery on a victim of less than 12 years of age. Records further revealed the subject had been previously removed from the United States.

Reported on April 8, 2009

Del Rio Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Eagle Pass, Texas. During processing, the subject admitted to being an active Mexican Mafia gang member. Records checks revealed the subject had been previously removed from the United States on four occasions and had an extensive criminal history.

Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 2,041 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,632,640, a 1999 Freightliner tractor-trailer, and arrested a USC at the I-35 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 search revealed the marijuana inside the trailer.

Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 240 pounds of marijuana valued at $192,320 from the Rio Grande River near Laredo, Texas. While retrieving the marijuana, several subjects in the river picked up rocks and made threatening movements toward the agents. An agent deployed less lethal munitions in response. All of the subjects retreated into Mexico.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Nogales, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject was previously removed from the United States and was convicted of felonious sex with a minor in the State of California.

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