Nearly 100 Migrants illegally crossed the border in the New Mexico Desert, and more than $6 million worth of cocaine was seized by Customs and Border Protection officers.
Border patrol Agents from the El Paso Sector in Texas found the illegal migrants in two separate groups. The first group had 44 adults from Cuba along with one minor. The second group also had one child along with the 50 adults.
This as Customs and Border Protection officers at the Brownsville Port of entry seized nearly $900,000 worth of Cocaine, and Methamphetamine from a 28-year-old U.S. citizen and an 18-year-old Mexican Citizen who lives in Port Arthur, Texas. The vehicles, drugs and alleged drug smugglers were turned over to the DEA and Homeland Security investigations.
CBP Officers were also able to nab a whopping $6.3 million worth of cocaine from a boat that was heading towards Puerto Rico. The 695 pounds of cocaine that was packaged into 250 bricks was found hidden inside a compartment in the hull along with one firearm. The two alleged drug smugglers were arrested.
Here are the official reports from CBP:
EL PASO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol Agents from El Paso Sector encountered two large groups of migrants in the New Mexico desert on Thursday.
The first encounter occurred at approximately 8:00 a.m., when Border Patrol Agents assigned to the Lordsburg Station received information regarding possible lost individuals. Agents assigned to the Antelope Wells Forward Operating Base responded to the remote desert and encountered a group of 45 migrants, after an extended search, near the Alamo Hueco Mountains.
The group was comprised of 44 adults from Cuba and one tender-age unaccompanied child. Agents from the Lordsburg Border Patrol Station, Border Patrol Search Trauma and Rescue Unit, and Bureau of Land Management personnel performed a medical evaluation on site. Agents on-scene determined that no medical assistance was needed. All migrants were transported to the Central Processing Center in El Paso to be processed accordingly.
Later, on Thursday at 7:30 p.m., Border Patrol Agents assigned to the Deming Station encountered a group of 50 migrants. The migrants were discovered in a remote area with the use
of imaging technology. Agents responded to an area south of the Potrillo Mountains and located the migrants lying on the ground. All subjects were medically screen and evaluated on site. Those subjects amendable to Title 42 were expelled back to Mexico. From the group of 50 migrants, one was an unaccompanied child that was subsequently transported to the Central Processing Center.
“Our agents responded quickly and rendered assistance to these large groups of people in the harsh, unforgiving desert areas where temperatures dramatically change from warm to cold,” said El Paso Sector Chief Patrol Agent Gloria I. Chavez. “Transnational Criminal Organizations are responsible for placing human beings at risk making them more vulnerable in this harsh environment.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection welcomes assistance from the community. Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious activity to the U.S. Border Patrol while remaining anonymous by calling 1-800-635-
BROWNSVILLE, Texas — U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers at the Brownsville Port of Entry intercepted alleged narcotics in two separate enforcement actions that have a combined estimated street value of $846,030.
“Our officers used their experience and skills in carrying out these significant drug seizures as they continue to keep our borders secure,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry.
seized by CBP officers at B&M International Bridge in
Brownsville, Texas.
The first seizure took place on Thursday, March 24, at the Los Indios International Bridge when a 28-year-old male United States citizen who resides in Tomball, Texas, attempted entry into the United States driving a 2010 Honda. The vehicle was referred to CBP secondary for further examination after a primary inspection. While in the secondary inspection area, with the aid of a non-intrusive imaging system (NII) and a canine unit, CBP officers discovered 14 packages hidden within the vehicle. CBP officers removed the packages which contained a total of 35.22 pounds of alleged methamphetamine.
The second seizure also took place on Thursday, March 24, at the Brownsville and Matamoros International Bridge when an 18-year-old male Mexican citizen who resides in Port Arthur, Texas, applied for entry into the United States driving a 2014 Volkswagen. The vehicle was referred to CBP secondary for further examination after a primary inspection. In secondary, with the aid of a canine unit, CBP officers discovered eight packages hidden within the 2014 Volkswagen. CBP officers removed the packages, which contained a total of 18.34 pounds of alleged cocaine.
The estimated street value of the narcotics from the seizures is approximately $704,590, and $141,440 respectively.
CBP officers seized the narcotics along with the vehicles, arrested the travelers and turned them over to the custody of the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents respectively for further investigation.
AGUADILLA, Puerto Rico— US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) agents intercepted a center console vessel near Cabo Rojo, finding 695 pounds (315.4 Kilos) of cocaine inside its hull and one firearm. The two vessel occupants were arrested. The estimated value of the cocaine is $6.3 million.
“Our maritime awareness allows us to detect and interdict narcotics smuggling attempts efficiently,” indicated Augusto Reyes, Director of the Caribbean Air and Marine Branch. “Our agents will continue to use our advanced aeronautical capabilities to secure our coastal borders.”
On Mar.22, the crew of an AMO AS-350 helicopter patrolling the vicinity of Cabo Rojo spotted a center console vessel with a T-Top, single outboard engine and two persons on board, navigating east at considerable speed.
The crew maintained visual contact and reached out to an AMO Mayaguez Coastal Interceptor crew in order to intercept the vessel. The Marine Unit escorted the vessel to the boat station where the AMO agents made a thorough search finding 250 bricks in a hidden compartment in the hull. The bricks contained a white powder substance that field tested positive to the properties of cocaine.
Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) took custody of the two male US citizens operating the vessel, the contraband and the firearm for investigation and prosecution.
