U.S. Border Patrol Weekly Blotter: December 4 – December 10

(12/11/2008)Border Patrol agents seized over 19,188 pounds of marijuana valued at $15,348. Agents arrested 8 criminal aliens and 8 gang members. There were 6 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 December 4, 2008


Del Rio Sector – Border Patrol agents received a report regarding a group of nine armed, unidentified subjects dressed in camouflage and carrying large packs through the brush near Comstock, Texas. All nine were reportedly armed with rifles. Several agents and Border Patrol canines responded, followed the subjects’ footprints, and found the subjects hiding in multiple caves. Agents seized 2 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,600 and recovered multiple stolen items to include a rifle, shotgun, binoculars, global positioning system, and night vision goggles.


Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,388 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,110,080, a 1999 Freightliner tractor-trailer and arrested a United States Citizen (USC) at the Interstate Highway




35 traffic checkpoint in Laredo, Texas. The subject presented himself and the tractor-trailer for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. Further inspection of the trailer revealed 42 bundles of marijuana.


New Orleans Sector – Border Patrol agents assisted local law enforcement with translation services for 31 subjects in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Agents determined that 29 of the subjects were illegal aliens from Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala. One subject, an illegal alien from Mexico, had an outstanding arrest warrant for felony driving under the influence in Dallas, Texas.


Reported on December 5, 2008


El Paso Sector – A Border Patrol agent responded to the report of four unidentified subjects illegally crossing the international border near El Paso, Texas. When the agent attempted to arrest the subjects, one of the illegal aliens, an active Paisa gang member, shoved the agent to the ground and a struggle ensued. The agent deployed his Border Patrol issued oleoresin capsicum spray and subdued the subject. The agent arrested the gang member and another subject, but the other two subjects absconded into Mexico.


Grand Forks Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested two nationals of South Africa near Grafton, North Dakota. The subjects were traveling in a 2008 Dodge Avenger and a handgun was found in the driver's side door.


Yuma Sector – Border Patrol agents reported that unidentified subjects on the Mexican side of the international boundary threw rocks at an agent's assigned vehicle west of the San Luis, Arizona Port of Entry.


Reported on December 6, 2008


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 3,470 pounds of marijuana valued at $2,775,600, a 1999 Freightliner tractor-trailer and arrested a national of Mexico at the Falfurrias, Texas traffic checkpoint. The subject presented himself and the tractor-trailer for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. Further inspection of the trailer revealed the marijuana hidden within the load of papayas.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 113 pounds of marijuana valued at $90,240 and arrested a USC near Douglas, Arizona. The subject, an employee of a local construction company, was working near the international border when he retrieved the marijuana from a wash along the border and subsequently placed it into a co-worker's vehicle. It was determined that the subject’s co-worker was not involved and the vehicle was not seized.


Reported on December 7, 2008


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,102 pounds of marijuana valued at $881,600, a 1997 Freightliner tractor-trailer and arrested a USC at the Falfurrias, Texas traffic checkpoint. The subject presented himself and the tractor-trailer for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. Further inspection of the trailer revealed 192 bundles of marijuana submerged in five gallon containers of wall primer.


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 3,676 pounds of marijuana valued at $2,940,800, a 2001 Freightliner tractor-trailer and arrested two USCs at the Falfurrias, Texas traffic checkpoint. The subjects presented themselves and the tractor-trailer for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. Further inspection of the trailer revealed the marijuana hidden within the load of limes and cilantro.


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,166 pounds of marijuana valued at $932,720, a 1995 Ford F-150 and arrested a USC in Palmview, Texas. An agent observed a vehicle travel away from the Rio Grande River in Abram, Texas, and its occupant acting in a suspicious manner. When he arrived in Palmview, Texas, the driver was arrested as he attempted to abscond on foot. Agents found the marijuana in the bed of the vehicle.


Reported on December 8, 2008


El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near El Paso, Texas. During processing, the subject admitted to being an active member of the Barrio Azteca gang. Records checks revealed the subject had an outstanding arrest warrant for assault in Adams County, Colorado.


Tucson Sector – A Border Patrol agent was assaulted by an illegal alien from Mexico near Lukeville, Arizona. The agent was attempting to apprehend three illegal aliens when one actively resisted arrest. The subject grabbed the agent's handgun and attempted to remove it from its holster. The agent was able to secure his weapon and an additional agent responded and used closed hand techniques to release the subject’s grip from the weapon. The illegal alien continued to resist and an agent deployed his Border Patrol-issued collapsible baton. Agents were able to subdue the subject and he was taken into custody without further incident. Records checks revealed the subject had an extensive criminal history and he admitted to being a member of the Sureno 13 gang.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents discovered 1,855 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,484,000 in a residence in Vamori, Arizona. Agents followed tire tracks leading from the desert to the residence and discovered a stolen 2004 Ford Expedition bearing stolen Arizona license plates. Agents along with local law enforcement entered into the unoccupied residence and discovered the marijuana.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,011 pounds of marijuana valued at $808,560, a 1997 Dodge Ram, a 2003 CM horse trailer, and arrested a USC near Lochiel, Arizona. Agents conducted a vehicle stop on the subject and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer, which contained three horses. The marijuana was found in a false compartment built into the trailer wall.


Reported on December 9, 2008

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,371 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,096,400 and recovered a stolen 2006 Ford F-250 near Penitas, Texas. Agents observed the vehicle and noticed that it was loaded with possible bundles of marijuana. Agents attempted a vehicle stop, but the driver of the vehicle failed to yield, absconded on foot and was not found. Agents found the marijuana inside the vehicle.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from El Salvador near Douglas, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject was previously removed from the United States and he was a convicted sex offender in Huntington Park, California.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Amado, Arizona. During initial contact with the subject, the agent found a semiautomatic pistol in the subject’s jacket pocket. The pistol did not have a round chambered, but its magazine was fully loaded.

Reported on December 10, 2008

Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 2,485 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,987,680, a 1995 Freightliner tractor-trailer and arrested a USC at the Interstate Highway 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. The narcotics were discovered inside the trailer.

Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents seized a 2006 Freightliner tractor-trailer, and arrested two USCs and five illegal aliens at the traffic checkpoint near Laredo, Texas. The two USCs presented themselves and the tractor-trailer for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A search of the trailer revealed the five illegal aliens inside.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,008 pounds of marijuana valued at $806,400, recovered a stolen 2001 Ford F-250 and arrested two juvenile illegal aliens from Mexico near Palmview, Texas. Agents noticed a vehicle travel toward the Rio Grande River with its headlights turned on, and shortly thereafter travel away from the river with its headlights off. The vehicle then sustained a tire blow out and sped away from the area at a high rate of speed. Agents attempted a vehicle stop, but the vehicle failed to yield, struck a culvert, and crashed. Emergency medical services responded, but neither occupant sustained any injuries.

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