U.S. Border Patrol Weekly Blotter (07/13/2011)

Border Patrol agents seized more than 10,802 pounds of marijuana, 60 pounds of cocaine, and 30.32 pounds of heroin. Agents arrested 10 criminal aliens and eight gang members. There were three rocking incidents.

*This overview is compiled from incidents reported to U.S. Border Patrol Headquarters and is not intended to reflect all Border Patrol enforcement actions. Most arrests and seizures fail to meet the requirements for mandatory reporting to Border Patrol Headquarters.


Reported on July 7, 2011


El Centro Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Calexico, California. During processing, the subject admitted to being a member of the Barrio Hangout Boys gang, which is affiliated with the Sureño gang. Records checks revealed the subject had a prior felony conviction for assault and had been previously removed from the United States.


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 20.15 pounds of heroin and a Ford pickup truck, and arrested a United States citizen (USC) and a national of Mexico at the traffic checkpoint near Falfurrias, Texas. The subjects presented themselves for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the vehicle. A subsequent search by agents uncovered the heroin.


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 2,330 pounds of marijuana and a Ford van near Rio Grande City, Texas. When agents initiated a vehicle stop near the Rio Grande River, the driver abandoned the vehicle and absconded to Mexico. The marijuana was discovered in the van.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 10.17 pounds of heroin and a vehicle, and arrested a USC at the traffic checkpoint near Tubac, Arizona. The subject presented himself for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the vehicle. A subsequent search by agents uncovered the heroin.


Yuma Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Andrade, California. Records checks revealed the subject had prior convictions in the state of California for attempted murder, vehicular manslaughter, and attempted kidnapping. The subject also had been removed previously from the United States.


Reported on July 8, 2011


Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Hebbronville, Texas. During processing, the subject was identified as a member of the Sureño gang. Records checks revealed the subject had an active warrant of arrest issued in the state of Georgia and had been previously removed from the United States.


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 101 pounds of marijuana and a Jeep Cherokee sport utility vehicle (SUV), and arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Brownsville, Texas. The subject attempted to evade arrest and was involved in a single-vehicle accident. The marijuana was found in the vehicle. Records checks revealed the subject had an extensive criminal history, including prior convictions for assault on a public servant and resisting arrest. The subject also had been removed previously from the United States.


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,879 pounds of marijuana and a Chevrolet Suburban SUV from the Rio Grande River near Los Ebanos, Texas. When agents encountered the vehicle, the driver fled and drove the vehicle into the river. All occupants of the vehicle absconded and were taken back to Mexico by waiting boats.


Reported on July 9, 2011


Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Laredo, Texas. Records checks revealed the subject had a prior conviction for voluntary manslaughter and had been removed previously from the United States.


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from El Salvador near Falfurrias, Texas. During processing, the subject admitted to being a member of the Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang. Records checks revealed the subject was a sex offender and had been previously removed from the United States.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,870 pounds of marijuana and two vehicles near Maricopa, Arizona. Agents observed two vehicles, one containing bundles of suspected contraband, traveling north in a remote desert location. The vehicles were found later abandoned, and a search of the bundles uncovered the marijuana. Records checks revealed both vehicles had been reported stolen.


Reported on July 10, 2011


Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents rescued and arrested an illegal alien from Guatemala near Laredo, Texas. The subject was attempting to cross the Rio Grande River when he fell into distress. A Border Patrol marine unit rescued the subject from the river.


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,677 pounds of marijuana and 60 pounds of cocaine near Penitas, Texas. Agents received a report of suspicious activity from a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Office of Air and Marine air asset and responded to the area. Upon arrival, they encountered an abandoned Chevrolet van, and a subsequent search revealed the narcotics.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Sells, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject had a prior conviction in the state of California for voluntary manslaughter and had been removed previously from the United States.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,099 pounds of marijuana and recovered a stolen Ford truck near Benson, Arizona. The vehicle was found abandoned.


Reported on July 11, 2011


El Centro Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,600 pounds of marijuana and a Mitsubishi SUV, and arrested one illegal alien from Honduras, and one illegal alien from Mexico near Calexico, California. Agents conducted a vehicle stop and discovered the marijuana in the vehicle.


El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Columbus, New Mexico. Records checks revealed the subject had a prior conviction in the state of Texas for indecent contact with a child and had been removed previously from the United States.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Guatemala near Tucson, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject had a prior conviction in the state of Rhode Island for first-degree child molestation and had been previously removed from the United States.


Reported on July 12, 2011


Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents seized a stolen Ford F-250 pickup, a .38-caliber revolver, and a loaded 9mm magazine, and arrested seven Mexican nationals after conducting a traffic stop near Cotulla, Texas. The vehicle, ammunition, and magazine were turned over to state law enforcement authorities.


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Guatemala near Mission, Texas. Records checks revealed the subject had a prior conviction in the state of Connecticut for sexual assault, kidnapping, assault, and intimidating a witness. The subject also had been removed previously from the United States.


Yuma Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 246 pounds of marijuana after responding to a report of an ultralight aircraft (ULA) incursion near Yuma, Arizona. The CBP Office of Air and Marine Operations Center notified agents they were tracking a suspected ULA. Agents responded to the area and seized the marijuana


Reported on July 13, 2011


El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near El Paso, Texas. During processing, the subject admitted to being an “18â€