Thread: U.S. Border Patrol Weekly Blotter 1/22/09

U.S. Border Patrol Weekly Blotter: January 15 - January 21

(01/22/2009)Border Patrol agents seized over 23,558 pounds of marijuana valued at $20,948,675, and 203 pounds of cocaine valued at $6,504,640. Agents arrested 8 criminal aliens and 3 gang members. There were 9 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 January 15, 2009

El Centro Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested a United States Citizen (USC) after seeing him run out of a restaurant being chased by an employee who said the subject had just committed a robbery. Agents pursued and arrested the subject and held him in custody until local law enforcement officers arrived.

El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 507 pounds of marijuana valued at $405,488, a 1999 Ford F-250, and arrested a USC near Animas, New Mexico. Agents were notified of a vehicle illegally crossing the international border and observed the vehicle, with the subject inside, parked on the side of the road. The marijuana was found in a hidden container. Records checks revealed the subject was a convicted felon.

San Diego Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico at the international border near Imperial Beach, California. During the arrest, the subject actively resisted and agents deployed a Border Patrol issued Electronic Control Device (ECD) to effect the arrest. During the arrest, unidentified subjects on the Mexican side of the border threw and struck agents with rocks. A Border Patrol emergency medical technician evaluated the subject on the scene and determined there were no adverse reactions to the ECD deployment.

Reported on January 16, 2009

Del Rio Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 203 pounds of cocaine valued at $6,504,640, a 1997 Ford F-250 truck, and arrested a USC and a national of Mexico near Brackettville, Texas. During a vehicle stop, agents discovered the cocaine in a false compartment in the bed of the truck.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Mercedes, Texas. While assisting other law enforcement officials, the agents assisted in the search of a private residence suspected of being a stash house. Inside the home, officials discovered and seized hundreds of fraudulent documents including social security cards, birth certificates and vehicle titles.

Tucson Sector – A Border Patrol agent rescued an illegal alien from Mexico after he attempted to evade arrest by jumping into a canal near Stanfield, Arizona. The agent encountered a group of four illegal aliens and arrested two, while two others jumped into a canal. When one of the subjects became distressed in the water, the agent drove his Border Patrol vehicle to the canal, let out the winch cable, lowered himself into the canal and rescued the subject. The subject did not require medical attention. The other subject exited the canal, fled on foot, and was later arrested.

Yuma Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Yuma, Arizona. During questioning, the subject admitted to being a member of the 18th Street Gang. The subject also had prior immigration violations and felony convictions.

Reported on January 17, 2009

No significant events to report

Reported on January 18, 2009

El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested a national of Mexico, recovered a stolen 2007 Ford F-250, seized 1,230 pounds of marijuana valued at $984,000 and seized a 1997 Chevrolet Tahoe. The two vehicles were observed traveling on New Mexico State Route 9, and a vehicle stop was attempted near Santa Teresa, New Mexico. The Tahoe yielded but the F-250 failed to stop, and agents deployed a Controlled Tire Deflation Device which flattened one tire. Agents later found the vehicle abandoned and loaded with marijuana. The subject driving the Tahoe was arrested after admitting to being the scout driver for the Ford F- 250. Records checks revealed the Ford F-250 was stolen out of Springtown, Texas.

San Diego Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico, five smuggled aliens, and seized a 1999 Hyundai Tiburon near San Diego, California. As agents attempted to conduct a vehicle stop, the subject ran a red light and collided with a civilian vehicle occupied by three USC's. Two of the USC's along with the subject and three of the smuggled aliens were transported to local hospitals for treatment.

San Diego Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested a national of Afghanistan near Pine Valley, California. Sheriff’s deputies had stopped the subject for reckless driving and requested assistance from agents. Agents determined the subject’s lawful immigration status, but found four illegal aliens from Mexico in the trunk of the vehicle.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,013 pounds of marijuana valued at $810,160 and a 2007 GMC pickup truck near Vamori, Arizona. Agents trailed a pickup near the border, but momentarily lost visual contact with the truck. When agents regained visual contact, the occupants were seen fleeing and a search of the vehicle yielded a strong marijuana odor. After tracing the tire tracks to a nearby house, the occupants exited and informed agents that someone had allegedly broken into their private residence and put something inside. A search of the residence revealed 42 bundles of marijuana.

Reported on January 19, 2009

El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near El Paso, Texas. Agents noticed the subject had sustained an injury to his face, and he claimed to have been assaulted and robbed in Mexico. A Border Patrol emergency medical technician treated the subject for his injuries.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,093 pounds of marijuana valued at $874,480, a 1996 Ford F-150 truck and a 2006 Chevrolet truck near Tucson, Arizona. Agents responded to activity in a remote area where air assets had located two abandoned vehicles. Agents arrived on scene and discovered 53 bundles of marijuana inside the vehicles.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Tucson, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject was previously removed from the United States and was a convicted sex offender.

Reported on January 20, 2009

Del Rio Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,015 pounds of marijuana valued at $2,355,867, a 1998 Kenworth tractor-trailer and arrested a USC at the traffic checkpoint near Eagle Pass, Texas. The subject was transporting U.S. mail in the tractor-trailer and presented himself and the tractor-trailer for inspection. A Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer, and a search revealed the marijuana concealed in 10 duffel bags inside mail push-carts.

Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,219 pounds of marijuana valued at $975,360, a 2000 Freightliner tractor-trailer, and arrested two USCs at the traffic checkpoint near Laredo, Texas. The subjects presented themselves and the tractor-trailer for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A subsequent search revealed the narcotics in a hidden metal compartment.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 6,183 pounds of marijuana valued at $4,946,400, recovered a stolen 2004 Ford F-350 and seized a trailer near La Rosita, Texas. Agents observed the truck and trailer near the Rio Grande River, and upon reaching the vehicle, agents determined it was abandoned. A total of 264 bundles of marijuana were discovered inside in the truck and trailer.

Reported on January 21, 2009

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 9,146 pounds of marijuana valued at $7,316,800, a 1998 Volvo tractor-trailer, and arrested a national of Mexico and a USC at the traffic checkpoint near Falfurrias, Texas. The two subjects presented themselves and the tractor-trailer for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. Further inspection of the trailer revealed 284 bundles of marijuana commingled with a shipment of cabbage.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,738 pounds marijuana valued at $1,390,400 and a 1988 Econoline 350 van near McAllen, Texas. Agents received a report of the location of a commercial vehicle that was possibly loaded with narcotics. Agents found the vehicle abandoned with the keys in the ignition. Agents found the rear hatch partially open and discovered the marijuana inside.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested two USCs, six Chinese nationals and seized a 2005 Dodge Caravan and a 1998 Pontiac Grand Prix near Sasabe, Arizona. While arresting one of the USCs and three Chinese nationals during a vehicle stop, the other USC drove his vehicle toward an agent in an attempt to hit him. Agents later stopped the second USC and found an additional three Chinese nationals in his vehicle. No injuries were reported.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_secur ... 5_0121.xml

These people continue to do a great job! Keep up the work!
Thank you Border Patrol!

YAY!