Southbound border checks result in 43 citations

UNION-TRIBUNE
4:35 p.m. April 9, 2009

SAN DIEGO — A multi-agency effort to stop and search traffic heading into Mexico on Wednesday resulted in 43 citations and four arrests, the Sheriff's Department announced Thursday.

The effort, dubbed Operation Six Eagles, targeted illegal weapons and other contraband that are often smuggled into Mexico from the United States and used in the violent drug wars plaguing the region.

No illegal weapons were confiscated during Wednesday's operation, but officials issued 43 tickets, impounded 25 vehicles and made four arrests for crimes, including possession of drugs, DUI warrants and probation violation, said sheriff's spokeswoman Jan Caldwell.

Nearly 3,000 vehicles were checked and an estimated 500 pedestrians were questioned at the county's three ports of entry during the effort.

The Coast Guard and U.S. Customs agents also used patrol boats to interdict marine traffic headed south, and helicopters from the two agencies and Sheriff's Department provided aerial support.

Other agencies that participated included Chula Vista police, San Diego Harbor police, the California Highway Patrol and the county Probation Department.

The operation was funded through a U.S. Department of Homeland Security program that provided $60 million in grants nationwide to help local authorities with border security.

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