U.S. Border Patrol Weekly Blotter: August 20 - August 26

(08/26/2009)Border Patrol agents seized over 8,893 pounds of marijuana valued at $7,113,344, and more than 100,000 tablets of ecstasy valued at approximately $2,000,000. Agents arrested 16 criminal aliens and 9 gang members. There were 9 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 August 20, 2009


El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Vietnam at the traffic checkpoint near Las Cruces, New Mexico. Records checks revealed the subject had an extensive criminal history to include a conviction for indecency with a child in the State of California. He had also been previously removed from the United States.


Marfa Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 19 pounds of marijuana valued at $14,904, an unloaded handgun, 10 rounds of .40 caliber ammunition, and arrested a United States


Citizen (USC) at the traffic checkpoint near Sierra Blanca, Texas. A Border Patrol canine alerted to the lower luggage bin of a bus. A subsequent search of a suitcase owned by the subject revealed the marijuana, weapon, and ammunition. Records checks revealed he was also the subject of an active federal warrant in the State of Florida for aggravated battery with a firearm, shooting into an occupied building, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and tampering with evidence.


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,350 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,079,600, a 2003 Freightliner tractor-trailer, a handgun, and arrested a USC at the traffic checkpoint near Falfurrias, Texas. A Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer, and a search revealed the marijuana concealed in pallets of limes. A further search of the sleeper area of the tractor revealed a 9mm handgun and two loaded magazines locked in a gun case.


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Falfurrias, Texas. During processing, the subject admitted to being an 18th Street gang member. Records checks revealed he had been previously removed from the United States.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Douglas, Arizona. During processing, the subject admitted to being a member of the Sureno Street Gang. Records checks revealed he also had an extensive criminal history and had been previously removed from the United States.


Reported on August 21, 2009


Grand Forks Sector – Border Patrol agents seized more than 100,000 tablets of Ecstasy valued at $2,000,000, 6.1 grams of cocaine, 5.3 grams of methamphetamine, and arrested a national of Canada near Roseau, Minnesota. Agents performed a vehicle stop and discovered the Ecstasy in two duffel bags in the trunk of the rental vehicle. The subject had the cocaine and methamphetamine on his person.


Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Laredo, Texas. During processing, the subject admitted to being a Mexican Mafia gang member. Records checks revealed he had been previously removed from the United States.


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents rescued four illegal aliens who jumped into a canal near Hidalgo, Texas. Agents observed the subjects struggling to stay afloat and extracted them from the water. Three of the four subjects were taken to a local hospital for treatment.


Reported on August 22, 2009


Del Rio Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Carrizo Springs, Texas. Records checks revealed the subject was a member of the Sureno 13 gang and had been previously removed from the United States.


El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Sunland Park, New Mexico. Records checks revealed the subject had an extensive criminal record to include kidnapping of a minor, criminal sexual penetration, and robbery. The subject had also been previously removed from the United States.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 560 pounds of marijuana valued at $447, 600, a 1998 Dodge truck and trailer, and arrested a USC at the traffic checkpoint near Whetstone, Arizona. The subject presented himself for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the vehicle. A search revealed bundles of marijuana concealed inside bee crates.


Reported on August 23, 2009


Blaine Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Pakistan near Blaine, Washington. Records checks revealed the subject had a previous conviction for fraud, was sentenced to two years incarceration and ordered to pay $1,028,754.60 in restitution. The subject was also previously removed from the United States.


Del Rio Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Carrizo Springs, Texas. Records checks revealed the subject had an extensive criminal history to include burglary and auto theft. During processing, he admitted to being a member of the Partido Revolucionario Mexicano gang.


El Centro Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Mecca, California. Records checks revealed the subject had prior convictions for sexual intercourse with a minor and inflicting corporal injury spouse/cohabitant in the State of California.


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,881 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,504,400, a 2000 tractor-trailer, and arrested two USCs at the traffic checkpoint near Falfurrias, Texas. Both subjects presented themselves for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A Z Backscatter X-ray identified several anomalies in the trailer, and a search revealed 32 bundles of marijuana concealed within a load of used tires.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Arivaca, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject had a prior conviction for 1st degree manslaughter and was sentenced to 81 months confinement. The subject had also been previously removed from the United States.


Reported on August 24, 2009


Detroit Sector – Border Patrol agents rescued two Canadian citizens from the St. Marie's river near Sault St. Marie, Michigan. At the request of local law enforcement officials, agents responded to assist with a boater distress call, and rescued the subjects who were clinging to their capsized canoe. Emergency medical services responded and treated both subjects on scene for exposure to the elements.


El Centro Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Calexico, California. Records checks revealed the subject had four prior convictions for sexual intercourse with a minor in the State of California, and had been previously removed from the United States.


El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near El Paso, Texas. During processing, the subject admitted to being a member of the Sureno 13 gang. Records checks revealed that he had been previously removed from the United States.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested four illegal aliens from Mexico near Nogales, Arizona. A search of the area where the subjects were arrested revealed a duffel bag containing 33 rounds of .38 caliber ammunition and a .38 caliber handgun was discovered in the nearby brush. One of the illegal aliens had 114.8 grams of marijuana on his person and claimed ownership of the gun. Another illegal alien was in possession of 23.4 grams of marijuana.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,294 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,035,400 near Nogales, Arizona. Agents spotted a group of suspected narcotics smugglers in a remote area. The group was encountered and absconded, leaving a total of 28 bundles of marijuana behind.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico. Records checks revealed the subject had a prior conviction for armed robbery of a residence (with a firearm) in the State of Arizona and was sentenced to eight years in prison. The subject had also been previously removed from the United States.


Reported on August 25, 2009


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents rescued an illegal alien from El Salvador and an illegal alien from Guatemala near Mission, Texas. The subjects were observed in distress and struggling to stay afloat in the Rio Grande River. Agents maneuvered their Border Patrol vessel next to the subjects and extracted them from the river.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,474 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,179,080 and a 2000 Dodge Ram pickup near Arivaca, Arizona. An agent observed a vehicle with bundles of suspected marijuana visible in the truck. The agent positioned his Border Patrol vehicle behind the pickup to initiate a vehicle stop and the driver immediately pulled over before the agent could engage his emergency lights and siren. Two subjects fled the scene on foot and a search yielded negative results. 63 bundles of marijuana were discovered in the bed and cab of the truck.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,564 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,251,560 from an abandoned travel trailer near Arivaca, Arizona.


Yuma Sector – A Border Patrol agent was assaulted near Wellton, Arizona. The agent had stopped at a gas station to refuel his Border Patrol vehicle when he encountered a group of four people who had congregated nearby. One of the individuals began to shout obscenities at him. After observing that the subject had blood on his hand and forearm, the agent approached the group to investigate. During the encounter, the injured subject lunged at the agent. The agent deployed his oleoresin capsicum (OC) spray to defend himself. Local law enforcement officers responded and arrested the subject for aggravated assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, disorderly conduct and public intoxication.


Reported on August 26, 2009


Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from El Salvador. During processing, the subject admitted to being a member of the 18th Street gang. Records checks revealed the subject was previously arrested for inflicting corporal injury spouse /cohabitant, two counts of force/assault with a deadly weapon (not firearm,) and conspiracy to commit a crime in the State of California.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Naco, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject had a previous conviction for child abduction in the State of Illinois and had been previously removed from the United States.

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