Mexican police held after crossing border

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Mexican police held after crossing border

Diana Washington Valdez
El Paso Times

Two uniformed Chihuahua state police officers were detained temporarily by U.S. Customs and Protection officers Monday after they entered the U.S. side of the border at an unauthorized point.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Assistant Chief Chuck Foss said one of the Mexican officers was new to the area and got lost while patrolling. His truck got stuck in the sand, and the truck of a second officer who drove to assist him also got stuck.

Foss said the Mexican officers were about 200 yards north of the international boundary, near monument 3, in the Sunland Park area. The officers, Jose Vargas and Salvador Muñoz, surrendered their weapons to U.S. officers. After they were cleared, they were returned to Mexico at 1:30 p.m. Monday.