U.S. Border Patrol Weekly Blotter: February 19 – February 25

Reported on February 19, 2009

No significant events to report.

Reported on February 20, 2009

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 4,159 pounds of marijuana valued at $3,327,200 and a GMC cargo van near Escobares, Texas. Agents approached several subjects near the Rio Grande River after the subjects were observed loading what appeared to be narcotics into a van. The subjects fled from the scene and the marijuana was found in the abandoned vehicle.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Cowlic, Arizona. During processing, the subject admitted to being a member of the Barrio Sureno 13 gang, and records checks revealed he had a prior conviction of receiving stolen property.

Yuma Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 4,010 pounds of marijuana valued at $3,208,000, and recovered a Ford F-350 and a Chevrolet 3500 near Somerton, Arizona. The two vehicles illegally entered the United States, and were confronted by agents. The vehicles failed to yield to agents, but subsequently came to a stop near the international border. Four subjects absconded from the vehicles into Mexico, two of whom were apprehended by Mexican authorities. The marijuana was discovered inside both vehicles. Records checks revealed that both vehicles had been reported stolen.

Reported on February 21, 2009

El Centro Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Calexico, California. Records checks revealed the subject was a convicted rapist.

El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents received a report of a vehicle illegally entering the United States approximately 24 miles west of the Santa Teresa, New Mexico Port of Entry. Agents responded to the area, and one agent was struck by the vehicle. Agents discharged their firearms and struck the driver of the vehicle. The driver was arrested, and agents seized a Ford F-350 pickup truck and 1,305 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,044,208. Records checks revealed that the pickup truck was reported stolen.

Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,680 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,344,296, a GMC truck, and arrested a United States Citizen (USC) near Laredo, Texas. Agents performed a vehicle stop, and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the vehicle. A subsequent search revealed several bundles of marijuana concealed in a toolbox.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,879 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,502,928 and a Chevrolet truck near Ajo, Arizona. Agents conducting traffic operations discovered the abandoned truck with the marijuana inside.

Reported on February 22, 2009

Laredo Sector – Border Patrol agents received information from law enforcement officers about a possible kidnapped juvenile traveling in a Ford F-150 truck near Laredo, Texas. Agents observed the suspect vehicle and conducted a vehicle stop. Agents encountered the juvenile and two additional subjects inside the vehicle. It was determined that the juvenile was not the victim of a kidnapping. A Border Patrol canine alerted to the vehicle, and a subsequent search revealed a total of $51,470 in U.S. currency concealed in two bags. The currency was seized and the juvenile, an illegal alien from Honduras, was arrested.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,781 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,424,400, a tanker truck, and arrested a USC at the traffic checkpoint near Falfurrias, Texas. The subject presented himself and the tanker truck for inspection, and a Border Patrol canine alerted to the vehicle. A subsequent search revealed the marijuana concealed in the tank of the truck.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,636 pounds of marijuana valued at $1,308,400, a Freightliner 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 subsequent search of the trailer revealed the marijuana concealed in a load of auto parts.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents received information regarding a Ford Mustang suspected of transporting illegal aliens near La Grulla, Texas. Agents located the vehicle and conducted a vehicle stop. Two illegal aliens from Mexico were discovered in the trunk, and three Mexican nationals were found in the backseat. The driver and one other subject absconded into nearby brush.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,032 pounds of marijuana valued at $825,840 and a Ford F-250 truck near Patagonia, Arizona. Agents encountered the vehicle wrecked and abandoned, and the marijuana was discovered inside.

Reported on February 23, 2009

El Paso Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 281 pounds of marijuana valued at $224,992 and arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Santa Teresa, New Mexico. Records checks revealed the subject had an outstanding arrest warrant for homicide issued in the State of Texas.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested an illegal alien from Mexico near Nogales, Arizona. Records checks revealed the subject had a prior conviction for murder in the State of Arizona.

Reported on February 24, 2009

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents arrested 16 illegal aliens from Mexico and seized a 2003 Ford near Alamo, Texas. Agents, along with other federal law enforcement officials, apprehended the group at a residence where one alien was reportedly holding the others against their will.

Reported on February 25, 2009

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 798 pounds of marijuana valued at $638,568 and a Chevrolet Suburban near Brownsville, Texas. Agents observed an unidentified subject load the Suburban with suspected bundles of marijuana. As agents converged, the driver fled and abandoned the vehicle after driving it into the Rio Grande River. While agents retrieved the suspected narcotics, unidentified subjects in Mexico threw rocks at them. Agents deployed less-lethal munitions, and the rock throwers retreated further into Mexico.

Rio Grande Valley Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,154 pounds of marijuana valued at $923,200, a Chevrolet Suburban, and arrested a juvenile from Mexico. Agents located the vehicle abandoned after the driver had apparently struck a telephone pole. The marijuana was located inside the vehicle. The juvenile driver, who fled on foot, was later arrested.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,231 pounds of marijuana valued at $985,160, a Peterbilt tractor-trailer, and arrested a USC at the traffic checkpoint near Amado, Arizona. 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 the marijuana concealed in cardboard boxes.

Tucson Sector – Border Patrol agents seized 1,216 pounds of marijuana valued at $972,800, a Chevrolet Silverado, and arrested two illegal aliens from Mexico near Tucson, Arizona. Agents and CBP Air and Marine assets responded to a report of a vehicle in an area known for narcotics smuggling. Pilots observed a vehicle driving in the dark without headlights, and as the aircraft approached, two subjects abandoned the vehicle and fled on foot. The subjects were later arrested and the marijuana was found inside the vehicle

—————————-
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.