Border Blotter: Stories from the Border Crisis – 8/2/22

The border blotter is a daily feature at CDN highlighting the actions of the brave men and women who deal with the border crisis every day. This article will be updated as new stories are reported.

Border Officers Seize $22K in Cocaine

HIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) intercepted $22,700 worth of alleged cocaine, July 29.

“Our CBP officers used teamwork, experience and attention to detail to thwart this smuggling attempt,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.

CBP officers assigned to the Hidalgo International Bridge encountered a 42-year-old man making entry from Mexico on foot. A canine team on duty alerted to the odor of narcotics and the person was immediately escorted to a secure area where officers discovered two packages of alleged cocaine hidden on his person. A total of 2.95 pounds of alleged cocaine was removed.

CBP OFO seized the narcotics, and the case remains under investigation by special agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland Security Investigations (ICE-HSI).

Border Officers Apprehend Fugitive Wanted for Sexual Assault of a Child

HIDALGO, Texas – U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge apprehended U.S. citizen from McAllen, wanted for sexual assault of a child, July 29.

“This man will have his day in court thanks to our vigilant CBP officers who screen travelers entering the United States,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Port of Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas.

CBP officers encountered 21-year-old Juan Pedro Arroyo, as he arrived from Mexico at the Hidalgo International Bridge and immediately secured him after discovering Arroyo was a possible match to an arrest warrant. Upon investigation, biometric verification confirmed his identity along with an active arrest warrant from Hidalgo County Sheriff’s Office. Arroyo has been wanted stemming from allegations from an incident in May 2022 and faces a charge of aggravated sexual assault of a child, a first-degree felony in the state of Texas.

A Hidalgo County deputy arrived to take custody of Arroyo and transported him to the county jail.

Border Officers Net $2.6 Million Worth of Narcotics in Two Seizures

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 $2,669,899.

“These significant drug seizures are the direct result of our officers’ dedication and vigilance in securing our borders and our streets, and communities are safer for it,” said Port Director Tater Ortiz, Brownsville Port of Entry.

The first seizure took place on July 21, at the Veterans International Bridge, when a 34-year-old male United States citizen who resides in Pasadena, Texas, attempted entry into the United States driving a 2014 Dodge. The vehicle was referred for further examination after a primary inspection. While in the secondary inspection area, with the aid of a non-intrusive inspection system (NII) and a canine unit, CBP officers discovered 10 packages hidden within the vehicle. CBP officers removed the packages which contained a total of 23.06 pounds of alleged cocaine.

The second seizure took place on July 26, at the Gateway International Bridge, when a 22-year-old male United States citizen who resides in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, applied for entry into the United States driving a 2003 Ford. The vehicle was referred for further examination after a primary inspection. With the aid of a non-intrusive inspection system NII, and a canine unit, CBP officers discovered 24 packages hidden within the vehicle. CBP officers removed the packages, which contained a total of 124.60 pounds of alleged methamphetamine.

The estimated street value of the narcotics from the seizures is approximately $177,820 and $2,492,079, respectively.

CBP officers seized the narcotics along with the vehicles, arrested the drivers and turned them over to the custody of Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents for further investigation.

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