U.S. Border Patrol arrests 25 illegals at I-93 roadblock, seizes pounds of pot

By MARK HAYWARD
Union Leader Staff
August 28. 2017 2:03PM

Basra Mohamed documented the U.S. Border Patrol roadblock on I-93 in Woodstock. Such government actions are illegal except within 100 miles of a U.S. Border. (Facebook)

U.S. Border Patrol agents arrested 25 illegal aliens and seized two pounds of marijuana during a checkpoint they manned this past weekend on Interstate 93 in the White Mountain National Forest, the agency said.

The checkpoint drew Internet attention when a driver posted photos and a short video clip to Facebook. It was shared more than 240 times.

Such checkpoints have been taking place for years in the wake of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, but are only legal within 100 miles of a U.S. border.

During the three-day operation, Border Patrol agents from the Swanton Sector arrested 25 people who did not have a valid immigration status, the Border Patrol said in a release. Fourteen were from Columbia and had overstayed their visas. Other illegal immigrants were from Colombia, Brazil, Ecuador and Mexico.

Agents seized drugs and drug paraphernalia including two pounds of marijuana and smaller amounts of cocaine, psilocybin mushrooms and hash oil. The subjects and contraband were turned over to Woodstock Police Department for further investigation and prosecution.

The Border Patrol, according to the release, setup the roadblock on Interstate 93 with the full knowledge and support of the Woodstock Police Department.

“Checkpoints are just one of the tools we utilize to enforce the immigration and other federal laws of our nation,” said Swanton Sector Chief Patrol Agent John C. Pfeifer. “In addition to technology, manpower and intelligence, checkpoints help to deny access to major routes of egress away from the border and into our communities in the interior of the U.S.”

The Border Patrol said one U.S. citizen ran the checkpoint and fled at a high rate of speed for nearly five miles. Woodstock police stopped the driver and charged him with three three felonies: reckless driving, possessing a controlled substance and endangering the welfare of a minor.

The Swanton Sector is responsible for securing the land border between ports of entry in Vermont, New Hampshire and northeastern New York.

http://www.unionleader.com/crime/us-...f-pot-20170828