january 27, 2016

Tucson Sector Agent Involved in Shooting

Tucson Sector Border Patrol Agent involved in shooting after struggle, suspect currently in stable condition.    

On Monday, Tucson Sector Border Patrol agents tracked a vehicle suspected of being involved in cross-border narcotics trafficking southeast of Rodeo, New Mexico.  Agents subsequently encountered a truck, stuck in mud, with approximately 2,340 pounds of marijuana. 

Two suspects in the vehicle fled into the surrounding mountainous terrain near the New Mexico state line, east of Apache, Arizona.  Agents immediately gave chase and one agent caught up to one of the suspects.  The agent attempted to arrest the suspect and a struggle ensued.  Preliminary reports indicate that the suspect assaulted the agent during the struggle. 

At approximately 10:45 a. m. (MST), the agent fired his service-issued firearm, striking the suspect.  Agents immediately contacted emergency medical personnel who responded and treated the suspect on-scene.  EMS transported the suspect to a Tucson hospital via life-flight ambulance. The suspect’s condition is listed as stable and he remains in federal custody.  EMS treated the agent for minor injuries.  

After a brief search, border patrol agents arrested a second suspect without incident. 

U.S. Border Patrol’s Tucson Sector coordinated the emergency response with federal, state, and local agencies in both Arizona and New Mexico.  CBP, FBI, and ICE Homeland Security Investigations, are investigating the incident. 

In accordance with CBP policy, the agent is on administrative leave. 

Coordination with Local and International Agencies Brings Criminals to Justice
Border Patrol agents arrested two men with warrants and assisted Mexican officials with a significant arrest over the weekend.

Agents arrested two U.S. citizens in separate incidents, Jan. 23, both with active warrants.  The two were attempting to travel through the Wellton Station immigration checkpoint on Interstate 8. One warrant was out of San Luis for theft, and possession of marijuana with a firearm. The second warrant was out of Maricopa County for failure to appear in court for shoplifting. Both men were turned over to a Wellton Police officer working Operation Stonegarden.

Mexican officials contacted Border Patrol regarding a vehicle that attempted to circumvent the military checkpoint along Mexico’s Highway 2, just south of the international boundary fence. Four occupants bailed out of the vehicle, but the Mexican military was able to arrest three of them. The fourth individual jumped the border fence into the United States.

The Mexican military discovered 328 pounds of methamphetamine in the vehicle. The fourth individual was arrested shortly thereafter by Border Patrol agents. The collaboration between the two agencies helped coordinate the extradition of the fourth individual back to Mexico for criminal proceedings.

Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents effectively combat smuggling organizations attempting to illegally transport people and contraband through southwestern Arizona and California. Citizens can help the Border Patrol and U.S. Customs and Border Protection by calling 1-866-999-8727 toll-free to report suspicious activity. Callers can remain anonymous.

Douglas CBP Officers Seize $325K in Marijuana
Customs and Border Protection officers at the Port of Douglas (Raul Hector Castro POE) arrested two Mexican nationals and two Douglas residents this week for alleged attempts to smuggle more than 650 pounds of marijuana worth a combined $325,000.

Officers arrested 42-year-old Douglas resident Armida Medina-Gonzalez, 42, on Jan. 20 after an inspection of her Buick sedan led to the discovery of more than 249 pounds of marijuana valued at nearly $125,000.

On the same day, officers arrested 34-year-old Douglas resident Marisol Esquer after an inspection of her Dodge van led to the discovery of more than 210 pounds of marijuana worth a little more than $105,000.

Officers working at the port on Jan. 21 referred Daniel Castillo-Aguirre, 42, and his 18-year-old passenger, Gabriel Acuna-Urias, both of Cananea, Sonora, Mexico, for further inspection of Castillo’s Ford sedan. Following an alert from a CBP narcotics-detection canine, officers located almost 191 pounds of marijuana hidden throughout the interior and exterior of the vehicle. The drugs are worth an estimated $95,000.

Officers seized the drugs and vehicles, and turned all four subjects over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.

Federal law allows officers to charge individuals by complaint, a method that allows the filing of charges for criminal activity without inferring guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless and until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

Nogales CBP Officers Seize $762K in Drugs
Customs and Border Protection officers arrested three Arizonans and one Mexican national for alleged attempts to smuggle more than 597 pounds of marijuana, heroin and methamphetamine through the Port of Nogales this week.

Officers at the Mariposa crossing referred Richard Lawrence Lewis, 36, of Wickenburg, Arizona, and his 44-year-old passenger, Shane McEntire of Yuma, for further inspection of Lewis’ recreational vehicle when they attempted to enter the U.S. on Jan. 19. After a CBP narcotics-detection canine alerted to the presence of drugs underneath the vehicle, officers removed nearly 540 pounds of marijuana worth close to $270,000.

On Jan. 20, officers at the Dennis DeConcini crossing referred Carla Evelin Ochoa-Arce, 21, of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico, for further inspection of her Chrysler sedan. After a CBP canine alerted to one of the vehicle’s quarter panels, officers removed more than 24 pounds of meth worth nearly $72,000.

The following day, officers at the Mariposa crossing referred Cecelia Acosta, 41, a permanent resident alien living in Nogales, Arizona, for additional inspection of her Nissan sedan. A positive alert by a CBP canine led to the discovery of nearly 29 pounds of heroin, worth in excess of $404,000, and almost 5.5 pounds of meth valued at more than $16,000.

Officers seized the drugs and vehicles, and turned all three subjects over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Homeland Security Investigations.

Federal law allows officers to charge individuals by complaint, a method that allows the filing of charges for criminal activity without inferring guilt. An individual is presumed innocent unless and until competent evidence is presented to a jury that establishes guilt beyond a reasonable doubt.

CBP Officers Arrest Man on Outstanding Homicide Warrant
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Field Operations officers arrested a male U.S. citizen returning from Mexico Saturday after learning he has an outstanding warrant for homicide out of Collin County, Texas.

The man failed to present proper identification at the port of entry, claiming he has been living in Mexico for five years and his documents were stolen. Officers referred the man for secondary inspection to confirm his identity and citizenship.

A background and fingerprint check revealed the man’s identity as 36-year-old David Ruiz; wanted in Texas for homicide. Officers arrested Ruiz and turned him over to the Pima County Sheriff’s office for extradition.  

“Fugitives can only run so long before vigilance and law-enforcement technology catches up to them,” said Port of Lukeville Chief of Staff Garret Reinhart. “CBP officers work closely with local, state, and other federal law enforcement partners to ensure wanted fugitives face justice. Thanks to our frontline officers, this fugitive will answer to the Texas legal system.”

18 Aliens Arrested, Some with Significant Criminal Histories
Border Patrol agents, assisted by aviation crews from Air and Marine Operations, Yuma Air Branch, arrested 18 people and seized more than 430 pounds of marijuana during multiple holiday-weekend incidents.

AMO pilots assisted Border Patrol agents near Tacna by guiding them to the location of four Mexican nationals and a Honduran national after the group illegally entered the United States Jan. 15 with 246 pounds of marijuana worth an estimated $123,000.

AMO pilots again assisted agents in Tacna on Jan. 16, directing them to the location of six Mexican nationals illegally in the U.S. It was later confirmed that one of the six had an active, extraditable warrant out of Santa Barbara, California, for a probation violation on a felony DUI with a prior conviction.

On Jan. 17, Border Patrol agents arrested seven Mexican nationals near Gila Bend. The group illegally entered the U.S. transporting 186 pounds of marijuana, valued at $93,000. Two of the arrested aliens were previously deported and have histories of manufacturing and distributing a controlled substance; assault; injuring a child with intent; theft; rape; lewd and lascivious acts with a child; and carrying a concealed weapon.

All individuals and drugs will be processed per Yuma Sector guidelines.

Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents effectively combat smuggling organizations attempting to illegally transport people and contraband through southwestern Arizona and California. Citizens can help the Border Patrol and U.S. Customs and Border Protection by calling 1-866-999-8727 toll-free to report suspicious activity. Callers can remain anonymous.