Reduced border crossing numbers aided by efforts of the Mexican government have allowed U.S. Border Patrol Agents from El Paso Sector to reemphasize traditional activities, resulting in drug seizures and criminal apprehensions along the West Texas and New Mexico borders.
On September 12, during routine activities, Border Patrol Agents assigned to the Alamogordo Station Highway 54 Checkpoint discovered three bundles of heroin with an approximate weight of 9 lbs. Both driver and passenger were taken into custody and turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration along with the heroin.
During a separate incident near Ft. Hancock Station, Border Patrols Agents received a citizen report of possible illegal alien activity. Responding Agents encountered a U.S. Citizen who was wanted for Failure to Register as a Sex Offender in Austin. Further records checks revealed an extensive criminal history, including a conviction for Sexual Assault. The subject was turned over to Hudspeth County Sheriff’s Office for extradition.
Aerial surveillance assets conducting international boundary air operations on September 13 notified agents at Clint Border Patrol Station that two subjects were illegally entering the United States east of the Tornillo Port of Entry. Clint Station Border Patrol Agents responded and arrested two subjects carrying bundles of marijuana weighing approximately 93 pounds. The marijuana and the two subjects were turned over to the Drug Enforcement Administration.
In the early hours of September 16, a Border Patrol canine at Alamogordo Station Highway 54 Checkpoint led agents to 44 bundles of marijuana weighing 54 pounds with an approximate street value of $43,296.00. The United States Citizen Driver was taken into custody and turned over to the Otero County Narcotics Enforcement Unit along with the marijuana.
In a second incident on September 16, Santa Teresa Border Patrol Station agents identified a convicted sex offender in their custody. The 57-year-old Mexican National had served four years for Aggravated Sexual Assault in September 1983 and was again charged with Sexual Assault with a Child in 2002. The second conviction led to his removal from the United States in 2015. He is being held in custody pending criminal prosecution.
“These incidents demonstrate how effective our skilled U.S. Border Patrol agents are when focused on the mission of National Security, said Gloria Chavez, Interim Chief for the Border Patrol’s El Paso Sector. “With this temporary reduction of migration flow at the border, our Agents are adding consequences to those involved in criminal activity, resulting in increased interdictions of people being smuggled, detention of criminals, and seizure of narcotics.”
On September 17, El Paso Border Patrol Station agents observed a group attempting to illegally enter the United States east of the Bridge of the Americas Port of Entry. Responding agents were informed by fleeing subjects south of the international boundary that one subject had fallen into the American Canal. The agents and Border Patrol’s Search, Trauma, and Rescue team (BORSTAR) located a body entangled in rope and submerged in the canal. The coroner arrived, pronounced the subject dead at 6:30 a.m. local time, and removed the body. Meanwhile, agents apprehended two subjects who were accompanying the deceased.
It is important to note that an arrest should not be considered evidence of guilt, and subjects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
