U.S. Border Patrol Weekly Blotter: June 11 – June 17

(06/17/2009)Border Patrol agents seized over 45,443 pounds of marijuana valued at $36,354,448. Agents arrested 19 criminal aliens and 9 gang members. There were 5 rocking incidents.

*This overview is compiled from incidents reported to the 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 the Office of Border Patrol.

Reported on June 11, 2009

El Centro Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Ocotillo, California. Records checks revealed the subject had a previous conviction for lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 years old and had been previously removed from the United States.

El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 2,248 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,798,320, a 1999 commercial trailer, and recovered a stolen

2006 Ford F-350 near Apache, Arizona. Agents encountered an abandoned trailer on the highway with its rear doors open. Inside the trailer, agents discovered the stolen Ford F-350, which had been altered to mimic a Border Patrol vehicle. The Ford F-350 contained 105 bundles of marijuana.


Rio Grande Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 2,606 pounds of marijuana valued at $2,084,400, a 1996 Peterbilt tractor-trailer, and arrested a United States Citizen (USC) at the traffic checkpoint near Falfurrias, Texas. The subject presented himself and the tractor-trailer for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A search of the trailer revealed the marijuana concealed within a load of onions.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 2,484 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,987,200 and recovered a stolen 2007 Dodge truck near Menegers, Arizona. An agent observed two vehicles illegally enter the United States. Agents responded to the area and encountered the Dodge truck abandoned on the north side of the international border. Agents discovered 118 bundles of marijuana inside the vehicle. The driver of the vehicle absconded to Mexico.


Reported on June 12, 2009


El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested two USCs and seized 226 pounds of marijuana valued at $180,704 near Fort Hancock, Texas. Agents attempted to conduct a vehicle stop on a vehicle and the driver failed to yield. A Controlled Tire Deflation Device was successfully deployed. The driver and passenger attempted to abscond on foot, but were subsequently arrested. A search revealed the marijuana inside the vehicle.


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 2,489 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,990,800, a 2001 tractor-trailer, and arrested a USC at the traffic checkpoint near Falfurrias, Texas. The subject presented himself and the tractor-trailer for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A search of the trailer revealed 98 bundles of marijuana concealed within a load of used clothing.


San Diego Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 2,409 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,927,184, a 1998 tractor-trailer, and arrested a national of Mexico at the traffic checkpoint near Pine Valley, California. The subject presented himself and the tractor-trailer for inspection and a subsequent search of the trailer revealed 564 bundles of marijuana concealed in wood chips.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Bisbee, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject had a prior conviction for production of obscene material in the State of Alabama and had been previously removed from the United States.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 3,216 pounds of marijuana valued at $2,572,800, a 2000 tractor-trailer, and arrested a USC at the traffic checkpoint near Nogales, Arizona. The subject presented himself and the tractor-trailer for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A secondary inspection using the Z Backscatter X-ray machine revealed the marijuana inside the trailer.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Sierra Vista, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject had a prior conviction for statutory sexual assault in the State of Pennsylvania and had been previously removed from the United States.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Sonoita, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject had a prior conviction for attempted murder and robbery in the State of California and had been previously deported from the United States.


Reported on June 13, 2009


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


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 721 pounds of marijuana valued at $576,800, a 1989 Ford truck, and arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near La Grulla, Texas. Agents observed the truck leaving the river area at a high rate of speed and attempted to perform a traffic stop. The subject intentionally struck a Border Patrol vehicle in an attempt to abscond.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Vamori, Arizona. Records check revealed the subject had a prior conviction for sexual abuse of a child in the State of California and had been previously removed from the United States.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Nogales, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject had a prior conviction for intent to kill in the State of Oklahoma and had been previously removed from the United States.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico and seized a semi- automatic handgun near Rio Rico, Arizona. Agents encountered the subject and a search of a backpack found next to him revealed the handgun and a spotting scope. Records checks revealed an active arrest warrant for the subject in the State of California for assault with a deadly weapon. Records checks further revealed the subject had been previously removed from the United States.


Reported on June 14, 2009


El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near San Elizario, Texas. During processing, the subject was identified as a member of the Azteca gang. He also had an extensive criminal record including a two year sentence for re-entry after deportation.


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 2,025 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,620,320, a 2003 tractor-trailer, and arrested a USC at the traffic checkpoint near Sarita, Texas. The subject presented himself and the tractor-trailer for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A subsequent search of the trailer revealed 86 bundles of marijuana in a hidden compartment.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Tombstone, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject was convicted of assault to commit mayhem/oral copulation/sodomy in the State of California and sentenced to four years in prison. Records checks further revealed the subject had been previously removed from the United States.


Reported on June 15, 2009


Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents encountered a two vehicle accident in Laredo, Texas. Agents observed the driver of a vehicle disregard several stop signs before striking a Dodge van. Agents arrested 7 illegal aliens at the scene. The USC driver of the Dodge van, along with two illegal aliens, was transported to a local hospital for treatment.


Yuma Sector – Border Patrol agents received a report of an ultralight aircraft (ULA) incursion near Lukeville, Arizona. CBP Air & Marine air assets and agents were dispatched to conduct a search and the ULA was located abandoned near Dateland, Arizona. Two illegal aliens from Mexico, one identified as the pilot of the ULA, were subsequently arrested. Records checks revealed the pilot had an extensive criminal history and served several years in jail.


Reported on June 16, 2009


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested a USC, and seized 5,121 pounds of marijuana valued at $4,097,200, and a 1999 tractor-trailer at the traffic checkpoint near Laredo, Texas. The subject presented himself for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A subsequent search revealed 210 bundles of marijuana hidden within pallets of cilantro.


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested a USC, and seized 3,610 pounds of marijuana valued at $2,888,400, and a 1996 tractor-trailer at the traffic checkpoint near Falfurrias, Texas. The subject presented himself for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A subsequent search revealed 134 bundles of marijuana hidden within pallets of cilantro.


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested a USC, and seized 3,357 pounds of marijuana valued at $2,685,600, and a 1999 tractor-trailer at the traffic checkpoint near Falfurrias, Texas. The subject presented himself for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A subsequent search revealed 82 bundles of marijuana mixed with the shipment of produce.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested a USC for alien smuggling near Ajo, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject was a member of the Sureno gang and had a prior criminal history.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested seven illegal aliens from Mexico and El Salvador near Amado, Arizona. The aliens claimed to have been kidnapped by armed subjects. Agents later arrested an illegal alien from Mexico in the same area. Agents discovered a .22 caliber handgun concealed in the subject’s waistband. One of the alleged kidnap victims identified the subject as one of the kidnappers. The case was referred to local law enforcement authorities.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Elgin, Arizona. The subject admitted to being a member of the Norteno's gang. Records checks revealed the subject was also an aggravated felon with an extensive criminal history, and had been previously removed from the United States.


Yuma Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico and seized 245 pounds of marijuana valued at $196,400, and an ultralight aircraft (ULA) near Dateland, Arizona. Agents and CBP Air & Marine air assets received a report of a ULA incursion and responded to the area, resulting in the arrest and seizure.


Reported on June 17, 2009


Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 2,219 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,775,200, a 2000 tractor-trailer, and arrested a national of El Salvador at the traffic checkpoint near Falfurrias, Texas. The subject presented himself and the tractor-trailer for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the trailer. A search revealed 72 bundles of marijuana hidden behind a load of refrigerators.


Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 40 pounds of marijuana valued at $32,080, a 1999 Chevrolet Lumina, and arrested a USC at the traffic checkpoint near Amado, Arizona. The subject presented himself for inspection and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the vehicle. An anomaly was discovered during a scan of the vehicle using the Z Backscatter X-ray machine. A search revealed 10 bundles of marijuana concealed inside a manufactured compartment.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Nogales, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject had a prior conviction for rape and had been previously removed from the United States.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 6,168 pounds of marijuana valued at $4,934,040, a 1996 tractor-trailer, and arrested a national of Mexico at the traffic checkpoint near Amado, Arizona. The subject presented himself and the tractor-trailer for inspection and was sent to a secondary inspection area due to inconsistencies with the bill of laden. A Z Backscatter X-ray machine revealed an anomaly in the trailer, and a subsequent search revealed the marijuana.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Nicaragua near Amado, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject was a Mara Salvatrucha 13 gang member with an extensive criminal record. He had also been previously removed from the United States.

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/border_secur ... 1_0617.xml