U.S. Border Patrol Weekly Blotter: August 6 - August 12

(08/12/2009)Border Patrol agents seized over 13,929 pounds of marijuana valued at $11,142,760 and 301 pounds of cocaine valued at $9,632,000. Agents arrested 14 criminal aliens and 10 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 August 6, 2009

El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested a United States Citizen (USC) after he entered the United States without inspection near Sunland Park, New Mexico. The subject initially claimed to be a Mexican citizen but later admitted to being a USC. Records checks revealed the subject had active arrest warrants for a parole violation (sexual assault child/position of trust) and sexual assault in the State of Colorado.


Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,586 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,268,800, a 2002 tractor-trailer, and arrested a USC at the traffic checkpoint near Laredo, Texas. The subject presented himself for inspection, and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A search revealed 73 bundles of marijuana wrapped in cellophane tape concealed within the cargo.


Marfa Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 282 pounds of marijuana valued at $225,200, a 2002 GMC 1500 pickup truck, and arrested two USCs and three Mexican nationals near Marathon, Texas. Agents responded to a report of possible illicit activity and encountered the vehicle with several occupants inside. As agents approached the vehicle, several occupants exited and attempted to abscond. The driver and a passenger remained behind and were apprehended. Agents discovered bundles of marijuana in the bed of the vehicle. With assistance from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) air assets, agents located and arrested three additional subjects.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested a USC and seized 1,476 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,180,920 near Arivaca, Arizona. Agents observed seven individuals walking north, two of whom were carrying large bundles on their backs. CBP air assets deployed and led agents to a residence where the marijuana was discovered.


Reported on August 7, 2009


Del Rio Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Honduras near Eagle Pass, Texas. During processing, the subject admitted to being an 18th Street gang member. Records checks revealed he had a criminal history and has also been previously removed from the United States.


Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,092 pounds of marijuana valued at $873,880 and an abandoned 2007 Ford F-250 pickup truck near Bruni, Texas.


Marfa Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 670 pounds of marijuana valued at $536,000, a 2000 Freightliner tractor-trailer and arrested two USCs at the traffic checkpoint near Sierra Blanca, Texas. The subjects presented themselves for inspection and a search of the trailer revealed bundles of marijuana within the cargo. During questioning, one subject admitted to being a Barrio Azteca gang member.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Honduras near Why, Arizona. During processing the subject admitted to being a Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang member. Records checks revealed he had an extensive criminal and immigration history to include robbery and vandalism. The subject had also been previously removed from the United States.


Reported on August 8, 2009


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Iraq near Brownsville, Texas. Records checks revealed the subject has a criminal history in the State of Michigan and was previously ordered removed from the United States.


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,951 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,560,800.00, a 2005 Kenworth tractor-trailer, and arrested a national from Cuba near Falfurrias, Texas. A Border Patrol canine alerted to the conveyance during primary inspection, and a search revealed the narcotics concealed in the cargo.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested seven illegal aliens who were robbed at gunpoint by bandits near Ajo, Arizona. The subjects stated that four alien smugglers guided them across the international border when one of the four brandished a weapon, and robbed them of their money.


Reported on August 9, 2009


El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 60 pounds of marijuana valued at $47,680, a 1999 Ford, and arrested a USC at the traffic checkpoint near Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. The subject presented herself for inspection and provided a fraudulent identification card. A Border Patrol canine alerted to the vehicle, and a search revealed the marijuana inside the gas tank. Records checks revealed the subject had two felony arrest warrants for importation of a controlled substance and probation violation.


Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 3,322 pounds of marijuana valued at $2,657,680, a 2004 Ford F-250 pickup truck, a 2009 utility trailer, and arrested a USC on a ranch road near Hebbronville, Texas. Following a traffic stop, a Border Patrol canine alerted to the vehicle. An inspection revealed the contraband concealed under the floorboards of the trailer.


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,087 pounds of marijuana valued at $869,600 and a 2000 GMC truck near Rio Grande City, Texas. Agents were following the truck when the driver changed course and intentionally struck a Border Patrol vehicle. The driver absconded from the vehicle and a subsequent search revealed the marijuana inside the conveyance. There were no reported injuries.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Casa Grande, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject had a previous conviction for sexual conduct with a minor in the State of Arizona, and 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 an 18th Street gang member. Records checks revealed the subject had a previous immigration record as well as a criminal record to include burglary and illegal possession of a weapon.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Green Valley, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject had a previous conviction for sexual battery in the State of California and had been previously removed from the United States.


Reported on August 10, 2009


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 229 pounds of marijuana valued at $183,200 and seized an ultra light aircraft (ULA) near Why, Arizona. Agents were notified of the incursion, deployed to the area, and discovered the ULA and the marijuana.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Naco, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject had an extensive criminal history to include domestic battery, criminal sexual assault, and aggravated sexual assault with bodily harm in the State of Illinois. The subject also had active arrest warrants for shoplifting and failure to register as a sex offender.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,347 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,077,240, a 1999 Freightliner tractor-trailer, and arrested two USCs at the traffic checkpoint near Amado, Arizona. The subjects presented themselves and the tractor-trailer for inspection, and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A scan of the vehicle using the Z Backscatter X-ray revealed the contraband concealed within a false wall at the front of the trailer. Records checks revealed previous drug-related offenses by both subjects.


Reported on August 11, 2009


El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested two illegal aliens from Mexico near Hachita, New Mexico. During processing, one subject admitted to being a Surenos gang member, and the other admitted to being a Paisa's gang member. Records checks revealed that both subjects had extensive criminal and immigration histories.


Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Guatemala near Cotulla, Texas. Records checks revealed the subject was an MS-13 gang member and has an extensive criminal history to include robbery, larceny, and illegal possession of a weapon. The subject had also been previously removed from the United States.


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 301 pounds of cocaine valued at $9,632,000, a 2004 flatbed truck, and arrested a USC at the traffic checkpoint near Falfurrias, Texas. The subject presented himself for inspection, and a Border patrol canine alerted to the truck. A search revealed 120 bundles of cocaine hidden in a compartment under the bed of the truck.


Reported on August 12, 2009


El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents rescued a USC near El Paso, Texas. The subject, a suspected smuggler, jumped into a canal to avoid apprehension. Agents saved the subject from the water and transported him to a nearby hospital. Records checks revealed the subject had an extensive criminal history to include battery and forgery and has an active arrest warrant for failure to appear in the State of New Mexico.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents reported that an on duty agent fired shots at the driver of a vehicle who attempted to run the agent over near Casa Grande, Arizona. Agents were responding to suspected smuggling activity and observed two vehicles heading toward their location. An agent successfully deployed a controlled tire deflation device. Both vehicles turned around and drove at the agent in an attempt to run him over. The agent fired his weapon at the driver of the first vehicle. Both of the vehicles subsequently stopped. Agents seized 827 pounds of marijuana, valued at $661,760, and arrested four illegal aliens. None of the subjects were injured.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from El Salvador near Douglas, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject had a previous conviction for carnal knowledge of a child 13 to 15 years old in the State of Virginia. The subject had also been previously removed from the United States.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Naco, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject had a previous conviction for indecent contact with a minor and is a registered sex offender in the State of Illinois. The subject had also been previously removed from the United States.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_secur ... 6_0812.xml