TX CBP Arrest Illegals From Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Bangladesh And Seize $11.4 Million In Narcotics

For anyone to understand whether there are actual drug, smuggling, human trafficking, illegal immigrant crossings or gang activity is a problem or political bloviation, we need the numbers and facts…
By, Corridor Staff

Below you will find new information reported drug, smuggling, human trafficking and illegal crossings that have occurred either on the Texas border and ports over the week of May 16 – May 22.

As you read below, you may come to understand the issues on the U.S. and Mexico border aren’t a simple problem to be fixed by the current border security or policies out of D.C.

It has been recently published by many media outlets that the drug, smuggling, human trafficking and illegal crossings have been consistently dropping over the last couple of years.

U.S. citizens are given inconsistent information on illegal crossings and criminal activity that is happening on the Mexico and U.S. border. For anyone to understand whether there are actual drug, smuggling, human trafficking, illegal immigrant crossings or gang activity is a problem or political bloviation, we need the numbers and facts.

Texas isn’t the only border state. So as you read the weekly report below, remember this information is only what is occurring on the Texas-Mexico border and Texas ports.

The information below is gathered directly from U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which is under the purview of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

As for the accuracy of the information we have provided to you, we can only decipher the information that is released to us. Therefore the number of incidents, arrests, types of narcotics, weight and street value is considered the minimum amount…

Below you can find the totals of illegal crossing arrests, including their nationality & drug seizures including pounds, type of drug and “street value” total. Additionally, you will find a link to view last week’s totals.

All people apprehended by the Border Patrol undergo criminal history checks using biometrics to ensure their criminal histories are positively identified. To report suspicious activity such as alien and/or drug smuggling, contact their website at http://www.cbp.gov.


Week of May 16 – May 22, 2018

 

Texas Illegal Border Crossing
Arrests/Apprehensions & Nationality

U.S. Citizens Arrests/Apprehensions: 4

Brazil Citizens Arrests/Apprehensions: 2

Bangladesh Citizen Arrests/Apprehensions: 8

Illegal Arrests/Apprehensions Honduras, Guatemala, Mexico & El Salvador: 46
*NOTE:
The number of arrests/apprehensions were not separated out by country from Customs & Border Protection.

Number of Events Where arrests/apprehensions were not listed: 3

Total Weekly Arrests Reported/Apprehensions: 60


Texas Drug Total Seizures

NOTE: U.S. dollar and weight used

Marijuana: 12,974.94 lbs.
Street Value: $8,580,163 Million

Methamphetamine: 23.63 lbs.
(includes Liquid Meth)
Street Value: $331,000

Cocaine: 56 lbs.
Street Value: $432,480.

Heroin: 17 lbs./7711.07 grams
Street Value (approximate) – $2,120,544 Million
NOTE: Customs & Border Protection does not give a street value on Heroin. Our research found the price per gram can run from $150 – $400 depending on many different reasons. For the process of coming up with a street value, we use an average of $275. per gram.

Note: Cocaine & Heroin Wholesale & Street Pricing (U.S. and several other countries)
Note: “The price of heroin varies by region. Lately, the street value of the drug has been influenced to a large extent by the rigorous actions taken by law enforcement on Mexican drug cartels. These cartels control supply to some parts of the United States.”

“As a result of these actions, opiate medications such as oxycontin have become overly expensive on the streets of America. In response to this, the Mexican drug cartels increased heroin production and enhanced their networks to boost supply to large parts of the United States. Currently, most of this illicit substance available in the USA comes from Mexico. Despite an insatiable demand, the high production has been successful in keeping the price of a kilo of heroin down.”
*Source: Addiction Resource
*Source: United Nations Office of Drugs and Crime

Weekly Drug Total (pounds/lbs.): 13,071.57 lbs.

Weekly Street Value Total Reported: $11,464,187 Million

 



CBP Field Operations at Hidalgo Arrests Two Brazilians with Fake Entry Documents

Release Date: May 22, 2018

HIDALGO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge arrested a man and woman from Brazil who allegedly attempted to enter the country utilizing fraudulent Portuguese passports.

Photo by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

“These fake documents were detected by our officers due to their keen sense of awareness and ability to distinguish between legitimate and false entry documents,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “People must realize that this type of violation carries serious consequences and CBP will arrest those who would attempt to violate immigration law.”

On May 20, a 27-year-old man and a 24-year-old woman arrived at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge as pedestrians attempting to enter the United States as tourists.

A closer inspection of their Portuguese passports in secondary resulted in CBP officers determining that they were in fact fraudulent.

Further examination revealed that the couples were Brazilian citizens not in possession of valid entry documents to legally enter or reside in the United States.

In a separate, unrelated incident at the same border crossing, CBP officers also detected a 31-year-old woman from Padilla, Tamaulipas, Mexico attempting to enter the U.S. by utilizing a U.S. birth certificate that did not belong to her.

CBP OFO arrested the three persons, who will be incarcerated pending an appearance before a U.S. federal magistrate for alleged violation of U.S. immigration law.



CBP Field Operations Seizes Close to $500K Worth of Cocaine at Hidalgo International Bridge

Release Date: May 22, 2018

HIDALGO, Texas—Officers with U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Hidalgo International Bridge intercepted $432,480 worth of cocaine in a commercial bus coming from Mexico this weekend.

Packages containing 56 pounds of cocaine seized by CBP officers at Hidalgo International Bridge. Photo by CBP.

“Excellent teamwork from our frontline officers contributed to this excellent seizure of hard narcotics,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “The ability to detect inconsistencies and anomalies with travelers and vehicles is how every smuggling interception is initiated and ultimately how drugs are kept from being introduced into our communities.”

The incident occurred on May 20, at the Hidalgo-Reynosa International Bridge after officers inspected a commercial passenger bus arriving from Mexico.

While examining the bus and with the assistance of a CBP officer and his assigned  (canine), officers discovered 21 packages of alleged cocaine weighing 56 pounds hidden within the bus which were seized along with the bus.

CBP OFO arrested a 35-year-old male Mexican national in connection with the failed drug smuggling attempt and ultimately released him to the custody of a Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agent for further investigation.



CBP Stops 75-Year-Old Heroin Smuggler

Release Date:  May 22, 2018

TORNILLO, TEXAS – It seemed innocent at first glance. An older woman entering the U.S. from Mexico with nothing to declare. That all changed when U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operation officers discovered almost 17 pounds of heroin in her vehicle.

Bundles in purse. Photo by CBP.

“This is not the first time we have stopped a senior smuggler and it probably won’t be the last,” said Donna Sifford, CBP port director at the Marcelino Serna port of entry. “Smugglers will try just about anything and this case is another example of why CBP must remain vigilant at all times.”

Shortly after 1 p.m. Monday a 2008 Ford Escape SUV being driven by a 75-year-old female U.S. citizen entered the port from neighboring Mexico and was selected for a secondary exam.

CBP officers using a non-intrusive x-ray inspection system located suspicious bundles in the center console. Additional bundles were found in her purse.

The contents of the seven packages tested positive for heroin. The combined weight of the contraband was 16.75 pounds.

CBP officers arrested the driver of the car. She was turned over to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Security Investigations special agents to face charges associated with the failed smuggling attempt.



CBP Officers at World Trade Bridge Seize 782 Pounds of Marijuana In Cement Block Shipment This Weekend

No arrest/apprehension listed

Release Date: May 21, 2018

Packages containing 782 pounds of marijuana seized by CBP officers at World Trade Bridge. Photo by CBP.

LAREDO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) CBP officers at Laredo Port of Entry recently seized a noteworthy amount of marijuana with a street value exceeding $156,000 in one enforcement action over the weekend.

“I congratulate the officers for their hard work in advancing the CBP border security mission and protecting the public from illegal narcotics,”said Port Director Alberto Flores, Laredo Port of Entry.

The seizure occurred on Friday, May 18, when CBP officers assigned to the World Trade Bridge seized 782 pounds of alleged marijuana in 576 packages concealed within cement blocks.

The contraband was discovered when a non-intrusive and canine inspection was conducted on a 2012 Wabash trailer hauling a commercial shipment of cement blocks.

The narcotics has an estimated street value of $156,438.

CBP seized the narcotics and the case was turned over to Homeland Security Investigations special agents for further investigation.



Bi-National Collaboration with Laredo Sector Border Patrol and the Government of Mexico Prevents Narcotics from Entering Our Country

No arrest/apprehension listed

Release Date: May 21, 2018

LAREDO, Texas – On May 18, 2018, members of the Laredo Sector Border Patrol Foreign Operations Branch (FOB), working collaboratively with the Government of Mexico (GoM), prevented a large narcotic seizure from entering the United States.

Border Patrol agents assigned to the Foreign Operations Branch worked diligently with GoM to avoid a tractor-trailer attempting to cross a large load through a Laredo Port of Entry.

GoM officials had been monitoring the trailer that was loaded with narcotic bundles when FOB was advised. GoM officials located and confiscated the trailer and narcotics, which was a significant amount. A total of 423 bundles were seized by Mexican military. The bundles tested positive for marijuana and had a total weight of 10,083.944 pounds, with a street value of $8M.

“This seizure clearly demonstrates the exceptional level of binational cooperation that the Border Patrol has with the Government of Mexico. We fully intend to continue this level of cooperation between both governments to locate and prevent the smuggling of illicit contraband,” said Jason D. Owens, Laredo Sector Chief Patrol Agent.

The Laredo Sector Foreign Operations Branch (FOB) was established in October 2016, for the purpose of streamlining, structuring and building upon the successes of the International Liaison Unit. LRT FOB was built on four pillars consisting of: International Liaison Unit, Consular Affairs Team, Bi-national Enforcement and Bi-national Prosecutions.



Laredo Sector Border Patrol Agents Arrest Eight Bangladeshi Nationals

Release Date: May 18, 2018

LAREDO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents in Laredo, Texas on May 17 apprehended eight more illegal aliens from the country of Bangladesh in two separate incidents.  The subjects were encountered after illegally crossing the Rio Grande River in south Laredo.

The Laredo Sector Border Patrol continues to have the highest apprehension of Bangladeshi nationals compared to other Border Patrol Sectors. Currently, the Laredo Sector Border Patrol has apprehended more than 230 Bangladeshi nationals since the start of fiscal year 2018.

“It goes to show that our agents are arresting people from all over the world on a daily basis. Their intentions for entering the country illegally can only be determined after they have been arrested,” said Laredo Sector Assistant Chief Patrol Agent Gabriel Acosta.

All people apprehended by the Border Patrol undergo criminal history checks using biometrics to ensure their criminal histories are positively identified.



Laredo Sector Border Patrol Agents Rescue Three Illegal Aliens at a Ranch near Hebbronville, Texas

Release Date: May 18, 2018

HEBBRONVILLE, Texas –U.S. Border Patrol agents assigned to Hebbronville Station rescued three illegal aliens at a ranch near Hebbronville, Texas.

On May 17, 2018 Jim Hogg County Sheriff’s deputies relayed to agents a 911 call regarding three lost aliens. Agents from the Hebbronville Station were dispatched to the general location and shortly thereafter encountered the illegal aliens.

Agents found the illegal aliens to be in good health and they did not require further medical attention. The three illegal aliens were discovered to be male Honduran nationals and were transported for processing and removal.

The Laredo Sector Border Patrol will continue to warn against the dangers of people crossing illegally into the United States through dangerous environmental conditions.

Our Border Safety Initiative (BSI) is a humanitarian, bi-national strategy designed to reduce illegal alien deaths, educate and inform potential illegal aliens of the dangers and hazards of crossing the border illegally, and to respond to those who are in life-threatening situations.



Laredo Sector Border Patrol Agents Discover 38 Illegal Aliens Found in Deplorable Conditions in Stash House

Border Patrol agents discovered 38 illegal aliens in deplorable conditions in a stash house in Laredo, Texas. Photo by CBP.

Release Date: May 18, 2018

LAREDO, Texas – U.S. Border Patrol agents along with Webb County Sheriff’s deputies on May 17 observed suspicious activity at a residence on Costello Loop in Laredo, Texas. Consent was granted to enter the premises and a total of 38 illegal aliens were found inside.

The subjects were determined to be from the countries of Guatemala, Mexico, El Salvador and Honduras.  All subjects were processed accordingly.

“United States Border Patrol continues to work in coordination with our law enforcement partners at Webb County Sheriff’s Office and these collaborative efforts, as this enforcement action illustrates, continue to help disrupt illicit activity and deny criminal organizations the ability to operate. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to prosecute those responsible and prevent individuals from being subjected to deplorable conditions,” said Laredo Sector Assistant Chief Patrol Agent Gabriel Acosta.

 



CBP Field Operations Seizes a Ton of Marijuana at Pharr International Bridge

No arrest/apprehension listed

Release Date: May 18, 2018

Texas Custom and Border Protection Arrest Illegals From Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, Bangladesh And Seize $11.4 Million In Narcotics. Photo by CBP.

PHARR, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility seized 2,119 pounds of marijuana that was concealed within a commercial shipment of charcoal.

“Our frontline officers working at the commercial facility in Pharr accomplished this excellent discovery of marijuana due to their diligence and perseverance. Thanks to their effective use of all available tools and resources, these narcotics will not cross the border,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez, Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry.

The seizure occurred on May 16 after CBP officers working at the Pharr International Bridge cargo
facility encountered a commercial shipment of
charcoal arriving from Mexico.

CBP officers referred the conveyance for a non-intrusive imaging system inspection (NII) and subsequently referred it for further secondary inspection.

With the assistance of narcotics detection dog (canine team), officers discovered 484 packages of alleged marijuana with an estimated street value of $423,725.

CBP OFO seized the drugs and the case remains under investigation by Homeland Security Investigations special agents.



CBP Officers at Laredo Port of Entry Seize $331K in Methamphetamine in Canned Produce; Three Arrested

Release Date: May 17, 2018

LAREDO, Texas—U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Office of Field Operations (OFO) CBP officers at Laredo Port of Entry recently apprehended three pedestrians in connection with the seizure of alleged methamphetamine with a street value of $331,000 hidden within cans of produce.

“Our frontline officers continue to maintain vigilance while conducting their inspections and the judicious application of experience and instinct resulted in the arrest of three pedestrians and the seizure of a significant load of hard narcotics hidden within canned produce,” said Port Director Alberto Flores, Laredo Port of Entry.

The seizure occurred on Tuesday, May 15, when CBP officers at the Gateway to the Americas Bridge referred three pedestrians: a 29-year-old man and two women, ages 22 and 28, all U.S. citizens, for a secondary examination.

Further examination utilizing a CBP canine and non-intrusive imaging systems resulted in the discovery of 23.63 pounds of methamphetamine in cans of hominy and jalapeños within travelers’ baggage. The methamphetamine has an estimated street value of $331,000.

CBP seized the narcotics, arrested all three pedestrians and referred the case for further investigation by Homeland Security Investigations special agents.


 

Related Articles

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Back to top button