Authorities seize plane with illegal immigrants

Tuesday, December 23, 2008 | 4:40 PM

SUGAR LAND, TX (KTRK) -- U.S. Department of Homeland Security agencies and law enforcement officers tracked and seized a suspicious aircraft carrying five undocumented Chinese immigrants.
The Air and Marine Operation Center, located in Riverside, California, tracked the suspicious aircraft on radar as it landed in Wharton, Texas, about 70 miles south of Sugar Land and alerted the Houston Air and Marine Branch to observe the aircraft as it proceeded to Sugar Land.
While in Wharton, passengers from the suspicious aircraft deplaned and boarded a waiting vehicle. Local law enforcement officers stopped the vehicle after a high-speed chase. The vehicle's driver disappeared into a wooded area. Five undocumented Chinese aliens remained and Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agents were notified.
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"This successful joint DHS agency and law enforcement effort is a superb example of effective strategic partnerships and operational teamwork in action," said David Lent, Director of Air Operations.
ICE Special Agent in Charge, Robert Rutt echoed Lent's comments, "This successful enforcement operation illustrates the seamless relationship between multiple DHS partners all working together to protect our Homeland."

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