C.B.P. News Release

Border Patrol Seizes Cash, Drugs, Weapons in Southeast California

(Wednesday, July 22, 2009)

Blythe, Calif. – U.S. Border Patrol agents from the Blythe, Calif. station arrested four subjects, seized two handguns, marijuana, hashish and $12,000 in cash in three separate incidents during the past three days.

On July 20, agents assigned to the Blythe Station apprehended two illegal aliens and recovered a stolen vehicle and firearm. The arrests came after agents stopped a Chevrolet Silverado on Interstate 10. Hidden in the center console of the vehicle was a loaded handgun that was previously reported stolen. The driver and passenger were found to be in the United States illegally. The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department took possession of both subjects and charged them with possession of stolen property and a concealed weapon. The vehicle was seized by the Border Patrol.

On July 21, Blythe agents attempted to stop a 1998 Toyota minivan. The driver pulled into the median and fled on foot. After a short foot pursuit, the agent was able to apprehend the individual. Concealed within the subject’s vehicle was $2,000 wrapped in a hamburger wrapper and $10,000 behind the stereo in the dashboard. The minivan and money were processed for seizure by the Border Patrol and the subject was processed for removal to Guatemala.

Also on July 21, Blythe agents foiled a man’s attempt to smuggle a firearm, marijuana and hashish past a Border Patrol checkpoint on Highway 78. A K-9 team detected the presence of contraband within the man’s 2005 Dodge pickup as it approached the checkpoint. The vehicle was referred to secondary inspection and agents discovered a loaded 9mm handgun with a high capacity magazine along with marijuana and hashish. Custody of the subject, firearm, marijuana and hashish were turned over to the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office. The subject will be charged for possession of a concealed firearm with high capacity magazine and possession of narcotics.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Contacts For This News Release
Yuma Sector
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (928) 341-6520

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