U.S. Border Patrol Weekly Blotter: December 25 – December 31

(12/31/2008)Border Patrol agents seized over 6,902 pounds of marijuana valued at $5,521,424. Agents arrested 2 criminal aliens and 4 gang members. There were 6 rocking incidents.

*This overview is compiled from incidents reported to 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 Border Patrol Headquarters.

Reported on December 25, 2008

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested six illegal aliens from Mexico and seized 284 pounds of marijuana valued at $227,120 near Topawa, Arizona. During processing, one subject admitted to being a member of the Sureno-13 gang. Records checks revealed he was previously removed from the United States and had a criminal history that includes drug and weapons charges.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents rescued an illegal alien from Honduras who had given birth in the desert near Douglas, Arizona. After a group of arrestees told agents about a pregnant woman who had been left behind in the desert, agents tracked the footprints of the group and were able to locate the subject and her baby. Agents provided intermediate medical aid to the mother and newborn, and contacted emergency medical services (EMS). The mother and baby were transported by EMS to a local hospital.

Reported on December 26, 2008

El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents responded to a request for assistance from local law enforcement regarding a report of a burglary involving a firearm in Columbus, New Mexico. Agents arrived at the scene and observed a subject pinned to the ground by his family members. The family members stated that the subject was drunk and was firing an AR-15 assault rifle. Agents secured the subject and the weapon until local law enforcement arrived and took custody of the scene.

Yuma Sector – Border Patrol agents reported that an unidentified subject threw a two foot log at an agent's marked Border Patrol vehicle in San Luis, Arizona. The log caused minor damage to the passenger side door, but no injuries were reported. The subject retreated back to Mexico without further incident.

Reported on December 27, 2008

El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents rendered emergency medical care to a child who was injured in a traffic accident near Lordsburg, New Mexico. Agents performed CPR on the child, who sustained severe injuries. EMS responded and took over emergency medical care.

Marfa Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested a national of Laos and seized a 9mm handgun at the traffic checkpoint south of Marathon, Texas. The subject arrived at the checkpoint accompanied by a United States Citizen (USC) in a passenger vehicle. A search of the vehicle revealed the handgun in the trunk. Records checks revealed the subject had applied for asylum, but the application was denied.

Reported on December 28, 2008

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents reported that an illegal alien from Ecuador, already in custody, had been convicted for aggravated criminal sexual contact in New Jersey. Records checks revealed the subject had an extensive criminal history.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,061 pounds of marijuana valued at $848,880, a 1994 Chevrolet pickup, a flatbed trailer, and arrested a USC near Sonoita, Arizona. An agent observed the vehicle illegally drive across the international border. Other agents responded, performed a vehicle stop, and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the flatbed trailer.

Reported on December 29, 2008

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Honduras, and an illegal alien from El Salvador near Sierra Vista, Arizona. Both subjects claimed to be members of the Mara Salvatrucha 13 gang and records checks revealed that both had extensive criminal histories.

Reported on December 30, 2008

El Paso Sector – An off-duty agent apprehended a robbery suspect at a truck stop in Horizon City, Texas. The agent was asked by an employee for his help, and arrested the subject, holding him until local law enforcement authorities arrived.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 2,963 pounds of marijuana valued at $2,370,400 near Falcon Heights, Texas. Agents followed footprints from the Rio Grande River to an area behind an abandoned house where they discovered 177 bundles of marijuana in plain view.

Reported on December 31, 2008

El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico who was bleeding severely from the forehead. The subject claimed he was assaulted in Mexico by several individuals driving a dark colored van. Agents observed a dark colored van in Mexico directly south of their location and notified Mexican authorities. Mexican authorities responded and advised that the van had been abandoned. EMS responded and transported the subject to a hospital for treatment.

Havre Sector – Border Patrol agents assisted local law enforcement and rescued a possibly suicidal subject near Oilmont, Montana. The subject's wife reported that the subject was going to commit suicide by freezing himself. Agents followed the subject's footprints through the heavy snow and located the subject, who appeared disoriented and confused. Agents turned him over to medical personnel for treatment.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 2,594 pounds of marijuana valued at $2,075,024 and a 1994 Wabash trailer west of the Lukeville, Arizona Port of Entry. Agents followed footprints leading from a breach in the international border fence to a secured parking area. After gaining permission to enter the parking area, a search of the trailer revealed several bundles of marijuana inside.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested two USCs, six illegal aliens, and seized a 1997 Chevrolet Suburban during a vehicle stop near Sasabe, Arizona. Inside the vehicle, agents discovered a fully loaded Kel-Tec 5.56mm pistol-grip semi-automatic rifle, a fully loaded Kel-Tec .380 semi- automatic pistol, 23 twelve gauge shotgun shells, four knives, and two pairs of brass knuckles. Neither of the firearms was reported stolen.

http://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_security/ ... 5_1231.xml