U.S. Border Patrol Weekly Blotter: March 26 - April 1

(04/01/2009)Border Patrol agents seized over 14,425 pounds of marijuana valued at $12,144,450. Agents also seized 35.8 pounds of cocaine valued at $1,145,600 and 142 pounds of ecstasy valued at $2,400,000. Agents arrested 10 criminal aliens and 6 gang members. There were 7 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 March 26, 2009

Del Rio Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 35.8 pounds of cocaine valued at $1,145,600 and arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Eagle Pass, Texas. The subject was encountered near the Rio Grande River. Knives and pepper spray were found in his pockets, and the cocaine was found in his backpack.

San Diego Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near San Diego, California. The subject threw several rocks at agents and resisted arrest. An agent subsequently deployed his Service issued Oleoresin Capsicum spray to subdue and arrest the subject.

Reported on March 27, 2009

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,560 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,248,000, a 2000 Freightliner tractor-trailer, and arrested a national of Cuba 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 83 bundles of marijuana concealed in onion crates.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents rescued an illegal alien from El Salvador near Brownsville, Texas. The subject attempted to flee by jumping in the river, but he was unable to swim to the riverbank. An agent successfully pulled the subject to safety.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from El Salvador near Ventana, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject was previously removed from the United States and is a convicted sex offender with an active felony warrant for failure to appear issued in the State of California.

Reported on March 28, 2009

Blaine Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 144 pounds of a potent strain of marijuana known as “BC Budâ€