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CBP is one of the Department of Homeland Security's largest and most complex components, with a priority mission of keeping terrorists and their weapons out of the U.S. It also has a responsibility for securing and facilitating trade and travel while enforcing hundreds of U.S. regulations, including immigration and drug laws. Here follows the highlights from the first week of July, 2008
July 03
Arizona Border Patrol Agents Apprehend 27 Undocumented Aliens
Laredo, Texas Border Patrol agents from the Laredo North station detained 27 undocumented aliens after interdicting a smuggling attempt today.
Just after midnight Thursday, agents manning the checkpoint located on Interstate 35 north of Laredo conducted an immigration inspection of the driver of a tractor trailer. A service canine alerted agents to the trailer and indicated to the presence of people or contraband.
The vehicle was referred for secondary inspection and examined by the Vehicle and Cargo Inspection System which uses gamma rays to produce an image similar to an x-ray. The machine image showed what appeared to be humans among boxes of cargo that was listed as electronic equipment on the bill of lading. Agents opened the sealed trailer and discovered 27 people standing shoulder-to-shoulder in a narrow aisle between the boxes of cargo.Agents determined that all of the people were undocumented aliens. Two of the people requested medical attention and were treated for dehydration by medically trained Border Patrol agents.
One of the aliens had an outstanding arrest warrant on DUI charges and was turned over to the Webb County Sheriffs Office. The remaining members of the group were prosecuted for entry without inspection under the Streamline Laredo initiative or processed for removal from the U.S.
The driver was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
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July 03
Yuma Sector Agents Seize Nearly 1,000 Pounds of Marijuana
Yuma, Ariz. Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents assigned to the Yuma Station foiled a smuggling attempt and seize more than 940 pounds of marijuana late Wednesday evening.
At approximately 8:30 p.m., a Yuma Sector enforcement specialist operating a camera deployed along the border observed multiple subjects emerging from a drainage pipe near County 21st and the Colorado River. A Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine helicopter as well as several agents responded to the area and were able to follow the tracks from the Colorado River back to the drainage pipe. The suspected drug smugglers were able to elude arrest and return to Mexico before agents arrived on scene.
During a search of the drainage pipe, agents discovered 26 bundles of marijuana deposited inside. The 26 bundles weighed approximately 940 pounds.
The estimated value of the marijuana was $2,182,888.
The marijuana was turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
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July 03 Border Patrol Thwarts Unusual Smuggling Effort - Agents discover 379 pounds of marijuana in man-made holes
July 03 Border Patrol Prevents Two North County California Smuggling Attempts
MORE NEWS, including travel tips and advisories.
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To report suspicious activity such as drug and/or alien smuggling, contact the Laredo Sector Border Patrol toll free telephone number at 1-800-343-1994.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
