U.S. Border Patrol Weekly Blotter: 2/11/09

(02/11/2009)Border Patrol agents seized over 8,654 pounds of marijuana valued at $7,560,080, and 208.5 pounds of cocaine valued at $6,672,000. Agents arrested 6 criminal aliens and 4 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 February 5, 2009

El Centro Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested a United States Citizen (USC), 31 illegal aliens from Mexico, and seized a 1995 Freightliner tractor-trailer at the traffic checkpoint near Westmorland, California. A Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer and a subsequent search revealed the illegal aliens hidden in the trailer behind pallets.

El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near El Paso, Texas. Records checks revealed the subject had a warrant issued in the State of New Mexico for murder and tampering with evidence.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents rescued and arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near San Miguel, Arizona. Agents responded to the area after local sheriff’s deputies received a report of a subject in distress. Agents located the subject who was suffering from hypothermia and dehydration. Emergency medical services responded and transported the subject to a local hospital for treatment.

Reported on February 6, 2009

Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Honduras near Laredo, Texas. As agents attempted to apprehend the subject, he became combative and struck an agent several times in the face. Despite his injuries, the agent deployed his Border Patrol-issued collapsible straight baton and successfully arrested the subject.

Marfa Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested five illegal aliens from Mexico and seized a Beretta 9mm pistol near Childress, Texas. Agents responded to assist local law enforcement officers and encountered the five subjects and a firearm inside a vehicle. One of the illegal aliens was identified as the driver of the vehicle and admitted to owning the handgun.

Reported on February 7, 2009

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,349 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,078,800, a 1998 Kenworth tractor, a cement tanker, and arrested a USC at the traffic checkpoint near Falfurrias, Texas. The driver presented himself and the tractor and cement tanker for inspection, and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the cement tanker. A subsequent search revealed 65 bundles of marijuana inside the tanker.

Yuma Sector - Border Patrol agents provided aid to an unidentified person involved in a single, all-terrain vehicle accident near Andrade, California. The individual was in need of immediate medical attention, but emergency medical services were unable to respond due to the remote location of the accident. Agents stabilized the individual and transported him to waiting emergency services personnel. The subject was transferred to an ambulance and taken to a local medical facility for treatment.

Reported on February 8, 2009

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,111 pounds of marijuana valued at $888,400, a 2000 Freightliner tractor-trailer, and arrested two Cuban nationals at the traffic checkpoint near Falfurrias, Texas. The subjects presented themselves and the tractor-trailer for inspection, and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A subsequent search of the trailer revealed the marijuana on top of barrels labeled as "ibuprofen."

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Cowlic, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject had been convicted of rape and assault with a deadly weapon in California, and subsequently ordered removed from the United States.

Reported on February 9, 2009

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 2,766 pounds marijuana valued at $2,212,800, a 2000 Freightliner tractor-trailer and arrested a national of El Salvador 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 concealed under palletized boxes of toothpaste.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 208.5 pounds of cocaine valued at $6,672,000, a 1999 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 cocaine concealed within boxes of papayas.

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 as an aggravated felon and is a convicted sexual offender.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Sasabe, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject is a convicted sex offender in the State of Iowa. He was previously convicted of sexual abuse in the 3rd degree and received a 10-year prison sentence.

Reported on February 10, 2009

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,820 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,456,000 near Garceno, Texas. Agents observed approximately 20 subjects carrying bundles of suspected narcotics and approached the group. When agents identified themselves, the subjects dropped the 27 bundles containing marijuana and absconded 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 had an arrest warrant for attempted murder issued in the State of California.

Reported on February 11, 2009

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents reported that several unidentified subjects in Mexico threw approximately 15 rocks at agents near Brownsville, Texas. Agents deployed less lethal munitions and the rock throwers ceased their assault and retreated further into Mexico.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,143 pounds of marijuana valued at $914,000 near Garceno, Texas. Agents received information regarding the presence of narcotics in an abandoned house and responded to the scene. Upon arrival, agents saw the marijuana in plain view through a window. The property owner was contacted and granted consent for agents to enter the house and secure the contraband.

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