During the COVID-19 epidemic, CBP’s Air and Marine Operations crews create social distance … and more chances to intercept the bad guys

Social distancing is the key message in these days of coronavirus: going out no more than what is absolutely essential and staying at least six feet away from people when you do. For the men and women of Air and Marine Operations — the component of  U.S. Customs and Border Protection which operate helicopters and planes and command boats — to conduct their mission of interdicting drugs and illegal entrants, remains essential, especially along the Southwest border. And they’re not afraid of getting up-close-and-personal in the smugglers’ business, even if it’s from a safe distance.

“The bad guys never let a crisis go to waste. They’re always trying to find ways to exploit weaknesses in our defense,” said Keith Jones, executive director, Air and Marine Operations, Southwest Region, an area of the U.S.-Mexico border that stretches nearly 2,000 miles and covers the rivers, deserts and sea waters between the two countries from the Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific Ocean. “Our folks are going out there and stepping up every day, working with [Border Patrol and Field Operations] folks on the ground.”

To make sure no one does take advantage of the COVID-19 crisis, flights along the Southwest border, including its maritime approaches, increased since much of the social distancing and isolation started a few weeks ago. Jones said that’s actually been a product of one of the ways his division implemented social distancing at work: spreading personnel more broadly across the 24-hour workday and seven-day calendar week, creating distance between crews. The added distance between crew members permits greater use of limited assets, and thus, more flights. In fact, compared to just before those policies went into effect, Air and Marine Operations increased flight hours along the Southwest border by nearly 15%.

The extra time in the air makes for a difference not lost on the people who work those flights, such as Supervisory Aviation Enforcement Agent Lonnie Smith, who flies out of McAllen, Texas, and spends his day conducting surveillance from the air and coordinating with Border Patrol agents on the ground.

“We’re actually able to increase our footprint,” Smith said. “Not only at the office and mitigate people working in close proximity [with each other], but also creating more of a footprint out there on the line adding additional layers of coverage.” 

At the McAllen Air Branch, they’ve ended up adding two more shifts, which means an extra 40 hours of flying each week. While encounters with illegal entrants are at a historical low, this allows the crews he flies with to focus on the narcotics trade, without illegal immigration giving smugglers cover. But they’re ready if illegal immigration and the drug trade kicks back into high gear. “We’re postured in a position to mitigate any kinds of threats that may start to bombard the river (Rio Grande) area,” Smith said.

All the way across the country in California, Marine Interdiction Agent Benjamin Lowe climbed aboard the 41-foot Coastal Interceptor Vessel that will take him and the boat’s crew out on the waters to patrol the Pacific Ocean where Mexico and the United States meet.

“We have eyes everywhere, and we can track vessels a little bit easier than we normally could,” before the COVID-19 restrictions went into effect, Lowe said. Plus, with fewer boats out there to watch and more patrols to watch them, it’s easier for one boat crew to hand off a monitored subject to another Air and Marine Operations crew further up the coast. For example, they don’t have to drive their vessel north from San Diego to Oceanside, California, a trip that would normally take about an hour of pounding on the Pacific Ocean swells. “Now, we don’t even need to make that transit because we know there are agents up there.”

Lowe said they’ve also noticed lower numbers of boats out on the water, as pleasure boats and fishermen have had to cut back on their operations. He said that does help them sort out which boats are legitimate and which ones are potential smugglers.

“We work in conjunction with camera sensor operators, so for them with less vessel traffic, it’s easier for the sensor operators to spot boat traffic and notify us to interdict those vessels,” Lowe said.

But he noted that doesn’t mean they’re getting relaxed in their security posture, keeping sharp eyes open.

 “We still have to do our job; we still have to look through the vessel if there’s some kind of border nexus,” Lowe said. “The protection of the country is No. 1. And we’re going to do [our job] as safely as we can.”

Meetings – what law enforcement officers call “musters” – and the all-important intelligence and weather briefings are being conducted virtually to help promote social distancing efforts. Jones said making sure his workforce stays healthy is at the front of his mind.

“Because of the nature of this unprecedented pandemic, the safety of our people was first and foremost, so we changed our operations to accommodate an increased level of safety for our folks,” holding those virtual musters and changing schedules to increase social distancing for aircrews, which in turn, resulted in the extra flight hours, he said.

Jones was also quick to point out the close cooperation between Air and Marine Operations agents and the men and women of Border Patrol and Office of Field Operations. “[People] are on the frontlines, coming to work every day, putting themselves in harm’s way, and I just want to express my appreciation,” he said.

In a time when each day is a trip into uncharted territory, Jones actually sees some benefits about what the current crisis is teaching the men and women of Air and Marine Operations along the Southwest border, and CBP as a whole.

“It demonstrates how CBP, collectively, has come together in the face of this crisis, and we’re demonstrating success in managing our ports of entry, and we’re managing what goes on between our ports of entry, all doing it as a team,” Jones said. “It brings to light what border security means to the health, safety and economic prosperity of our country. It’s critical.”

YUMA, Ariz.– Yuma Sector Border Patrol agents from Wellton rescued two men lost in the desert and out of water on Wednesday afternoon.

At approximately 5:44 p.m., Wellton Station received information concerning a 911 phone call regarding two subjects claiming to be in distress. Due to the caller being able to provide their Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) Coordinates, an Air and Marine Operations AS350 crew from the Yuma Air Branch was able to make visual contact of two male subjects within a short time, while ground agents arrived moments later. 

Wellton agents conducted an immigration and criminal history screening on the two subjects.  The 27-year-old Guatemalan male and a 30-year-old Mexican male were medically screened and refused medical attention.  Both subjects were expelled under Title 42 Authority.

While Yuma Sector Agents make every effort to expedite rescues, these are not typical timeframes in the vast desert.  Most times subjects are not able to provide coordinates, and sometimes they provide vague information or the information is relayed third hand, as callers may no longer have cellular service or sufficient battery life.  This is the fourth rescue Yuma Sector Agents have performed in the past two weeks.

 U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials welcome assistance from the community. Individuals can report suspicious activity to the Border Patrol and remain anonymous by calling 1-877-872-7435 toll free. Reporting illicit activity could result in saving someone’s life. 

FAJARDO, Puerto Rico – U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations (AMO) agents, along with the Puerto Rico Police Department (PRPD) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) worked together to seize 419 pounds (190 kilos) early Thursday morning.  The narcotics have an estimated street value is $4.75 million.

“This is a good example of how Air and Marine Operations conducts dynamic operations, leverages its many capabilities, and works closely with its partner law enforcement agencies when the need arises.  This demonstrates how Air and Marine Operations, Customs and Border Protection serves the public,” said Southeast Region Executive Director John Priddy. “I am proud of the work our crews did here.”

Ebrain Orta-Serrano and Francisco Correa-Marcado will make initial appearance before United States Magistrate Judge Marshall Morgan on a criminal complaint charging them with the possession of a schedule I controlled substance with the intention to distribute, in violation of federal law.

On May 6, 2020, a Puerto Rico Army National Guard Helicopter flying in support of the AMO Fajardo Marine Unit detected suspicious activities near the shoreline of the Maternillo ward of Fajardo. 

The MIA’s conducted an investigation on a residence suspected of narcotics smuggling.  A PRPD K-9 alerted positive to the scent of narcotics around a vehicle parked in front of the residence.

Agents requested from the U.S. Attorney for the District of Puerto Rico a search warrant and arrested the two defendants.  

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), is in charge of the investigation of the case. Assistant United States Attorney Kelly Zenon prosecuting.

The defendants face imprisonment for 10 years to life. 

A complaint is merely a charging document, and it is not evidence of guilt. Every defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

“Our AMO crews will continue to protect and serve the citizens of Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands even during this pandemic,” stated Johnny Morales, Director, Air and Marine Operations for the Caribbean Air and Marine Branch.

The mission of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations is to safeguard our Nation by anticipating and confronting security threats through our aviation and maritime law enforcement expertise, innovative capabilities, and partnerships at the border and beyond. With 1,800 federal agents and mission support personnel, 240 aircraft and 300 marine vessels operating throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands, Air and Marine Operations uses its sophisticated fleets to detect, sort, intercept, track and apprehend criminals in diverse environments at and beyond U.S. borders.

FAJARDO, Puerto Rico - Agentes de Operaciones Aéreas y Marinas (AMO) de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza (CBP) Estados, junto con el Departamento de Policía de Puerto Rico (PRPD) y las Investigaciones de Seguridad Nacional (HSI) trabajaron juntos para incautar 190 kilos (419 libras) la madrugada del jueves. Los narcóticos tienen un valor estimado en la calle de $ 4.75 millones.

“Este es un buen ejemplo de cómo las Operaciones Aéreas y Marinas realizan operaciones dinámicas, aprovecha sus muchas capacidades y trabaja en estrecha colaboración con sus agencias asociadas de aplicación de la ley cuando surge la necesidad. Esto demuestra cómo las Operaciones Aéreas y Marinas, la Aduana y la Protección Fronteriza sirven al público ", dijo el Director Ejecutivo de la Región Sudeste, John Priddy. "Estoy orgulloso del trabajo que nuestros equipos hicieron aquí".

Ebrain Orta-Serrano y Francisco Correa-Marcado harán una aparición inicial ante el juez magistrado de los Estados Unidos Marshall Morgan en una denuncia penal acusándolos de la posesión de un horario que controlé la sustancia con la intención de distribuir, en violación de la ley federal.

El 6 de mayo de 2020, un helicóptero de la Guardia Nacional del Ejército de Puerto Rico que volaba en apoyo de la Unidad Marítima Fajardo de AMO detectó actividades sospechosas cerca de la costa del barrio Maternillo de Fajardo. 

Los agentes de CBP comenzaron una investigación sobre una residencia sospechosa de tener contrabando de narcóticos. Un canino de la policía alertó positivamente sobre el olor a narcóticos alrededor de un vehículo estacionado frente a la residencia.

 Los agentes solicitaron al Fiscal de los Estados Unidos para el Distrito de Puerto Rico una orden de allanamiento y arrestaron a los dos acusados.

Los acusados enfrentan encarcelamiento por 10 años a cadena perpetua.

Una querella federal es simplemente un documento de acusación, y no es evidencia de culpabilidad. Se presume la inocencia de cada acusado hasta que, a menos que se le encuentre culpable más allá de una duda razonable en un tribunal de justicia.

"Nuestros equipos de AMO continuarán protegiendo y sirviendo a los ciudadanos de Puerto Rico y las Islas Vírgenes de los EE. UU. Incluso durante esta pandemia", dijo Johnny Morales, Director de Operaciones Aéreas y Marítimas de la Rama Aérea y Marina del Caribe.

La misión de las Operaciones de Aduanas y Protección Fronteriza, Aérea y Marítima de EE. UU. Es salvaguardar a nuestra nación anticipando y confrontando las amenazas de seguridad a través de nuestra experiencia en la aplicación de la ley de aviación y marítima, capacidades innovadoras y asociaciones en la frontera y más allá. Con 1.800 agentes federales y personal de apoyo a la misión, 240 aeronaves y 300 embarcaciones marinas que operan en los Estados Unidos, Puerto Rico y las Islas Vírgenes de EE. UU., Air and Marine Operations utiliza sus flotas sofisticadas para detectar, clasificar, interceptar, rastrear y capturar criminales en diversos entornos dentro y fuera de las fronteras de los Estados Unidos.

WASHINGTON — This week, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)Air and Marine Operations(AMO) has executed contract action on two contracts, valued at $74 million dollars, to enhance and modernize its fleet of air assets.

AMO, an operational component of CBP, has approximately 1,800 federal agents and mission support personnel, 240 aircraft, and 300 marine vessels operating throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, and U.S. Virgin Islands. AMO safeguards our Nation by anticipating and confronting security threats through our aviation and maritime law enforcement expertise, innovative capabilities, and partnerships at the border and beyond.

AMO issued a delivery order valued at roughly $47 million for the acquisition of two Multi-Role Enforcement Aircraft (MEA). The order went to Sierra Nevada Corporation, Integrated Mission Systems of Hagerstown, Md. These two aircraft are the 24th and 25th ordered MEA, and are expected to be delivered early 2022. The MEA is aBeechcraft King Air 350ERequipped with AMO mission-specific system capabilities.

“These contracts help AMO improve mission effectiveness and safety as called for by AMO’s Vision and Strategy 2030,”said Director, Mission Support, Todd Muehlenbeck. “These aircraft and sensors provide our operators with a critical capability for combatting threats in the air and sea environment.”

In Fiscal Year (FY) 2019, the MEA contributed to the seizure of 23,536 pounds of narcotics, $1.3 million dollars in currency, 231 apprehensions, and 35 arrests.

AMO also funded the conversion of three HH-60 helicopters to UH-60 Lima Black Hawksin the amount of $27 million, through an interagency partnership with the US Army, Utility Helicopter Project Office (UHPO) located in Huntsville, AL. AMO has additional contract actions planned this year to continue sustainment of the Black Hawk fleet. 

These UH-60 Black Hawk Conversions mark the seventh, eight, and ninth aircraft ordered through the UHPO and are expected to be delivered in 2022.  Conversion efforts include the de-modification of military MEDEVAC equipment and the installation of AMO-specific law enforcement mission equipment systems. This program’s reuse of Department of Defense assets is an extremely cost efficient way to protect our homeland.

“Our UH-60 aircraft are not only used in a law enforcement capacity,” said Director, Air Operations, Kraig Kamp. “The UH-60’s are also vital assets used to carry out our humanitarian, natural disaster recovery and high profile national tasking missions.  Our medium-lift helicopters provide us the ability to make significant contributions during hurricane relief efforts where they conduct life-saving rescue operations and distribute supplies to areas in need.”

In FY19, AMO rescued 377 individuals, many of them during natural disaster events like Hurricane Dorian. The UH-60 aircraft and its crews are responsible for 108 of those rescues.

For more information about CBP, visit: CBP.gov, Flickr, DVIDS, or follow us on Twitter at@CBP

IMPERIAL BEACH, Calif. — U.S. Border Patrol agents, with the aid of the Joint Harbor Operations Center (JHOC) and Air and Marine Operations (AMO), arrested eight people on Thursday morning who were involved in a maritime smuggling event.

Shortly after midnight on May 14, JHOC personnel observed a suspicious vessel with eight people on board traveling toward the Imperial Beach pier.  Agents quickly responded to the area and discovered a beached 19-foot pleasure craft with multiple life vests scattered nearby.

Agents searched the area and, with the help of AMO air assets, and were able to find six people immediately on the beach.  At approximately 2 a.m., the two remaining individuals were located hiding in a residential area.

Of the eight arrested all were Mexican nationals, seven were adults ranging from 20 to 45 years in age.  One individual was a 17-year-old juvenile.  All eight admitted to being illegally present in the U.S., including a 36-year-old man who was identified as the boat captain. 

The arrested individuals were processed by Border Patrol and the boat was seized by AMO.

San Diego Sector has interdicted 142 maritime events, made 540 arrests, and seized 57 vessels, and 6,642 lbs. of contraband in US waters since October 1, 2019.

If you have information about maritime smuggling or suspicious activity along the coast of California, please call 1-800-854-9834 ext. 1 or dial 9-1-1, and you will be directed through the proper channels.

SAN ANGELO, Texas– A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS) experienced a nose-wheel collapse, resulting in a hard landing, on arrival at its home base on Mathis Field, San Angelo Regional Airport, on May 15. The hard landing resulted in the aircraft departing from the runway and coming to rest in the grass. The airport fire department arrived on scene within minutes and extinguished a fire on the aircraft. Initial damage assessment of the aircraft is extensive. There were no injuries resulting from the incident. A CBP AMO Accident Investigation Team has been activated as per CBP policy. AMO will pause flight operations at San Angelo until further notice.

YUMA, Ariz. – Air and Marine Operations—Yuma Air Branch working with Yuma and Tucson Sector Border Patrol, located and rescued two separate groups of people in need in southwestern Arizona Thursday.

A Yuma Air Branch (YAB) AS-350 aircrew on a routine patrol in the Growler Valley (approximately 25 miles northwest of the Ajo, AZ) Thursday morning when they discovered an individual waving his arms who ran in the direction of the helicopter when he saw it. The crew turned toward the man and located two additional individuals in distress. The aircraft notified Ajo Station of the location and landed to provide water and assistance until ground agents arrived. The three subjects stated they had been in the desert for over a week and had been out of water for two days. Border Patrol agents, including one who was an EMT, arrived on scene and took custody of the individuals.

A few hours later, another YAB EC120 crew responded to a 911 call for two individuals in distress. The helicopter flew to the reported location, approximately 20 miles southwest of Gila Bend, AZ, and located the two individuals after a short search. A Tucson Sector Border Patrol Agent arrived on scene and requested an EMT and a Life flight helicopter. In the meantime, a Yuma Sector EMT launched in an Operation Guardian Support (OGS) AZ National Guard UH60 toward the scene. The Life flight helicopter out of Gila Bend, AZ arrived on scene and transported a female subject to the hospital, while the male subject was taken to the hospital with less severe symptoms.

“Working with Tucson and Yuma Sector Border Patrol Agents to locate individuals in distress is absolutely vital to ensuring lifesaving aid reaches those in need as quickly as possible,” said AMO Yuma Air Branch Director James C. Schuetzler, Jr., “This cohesive partnership with our USBP partners forms a seamless barrier of defense for our citizens, communities, and other in need.”

MINNEAPOLIS - Earlier today a U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Air and Marine Operations (AMO) unmanned aircraft system was preparing to provide live video to aid in situational awareness at the request of our federal law enforcement partners in Minneapolis. The unmanned aircraft system provides live video feed to ground law enforcement, giving them situational awareness, maximizing public safety, while minimizing the threat to personnel and assets.

After arriving into the Minneapolis airspace, the requesting agency determined that the aircraft was no longer needed for operational awareness and departed back to Grand Forks. 

CBP AMO routinely conducts operations with other federal, state, and local law enforcement entities to assist law enforcement and humanitarian relief efforts.

AMO carries out its mission nationwide, not just at the border, consistent with federal laws and policies. During humanitarian missions AMO regularly deploys the unmanned aircraft system to assist FEMA in assessing hurricane affected areas, in coordination with the National Weather Service to capture imagery of storm impacted areas, and with federal, state and local partners to conduct search and rescue missions, in addition to its law enforcement mission.

TUCSON, Ariz. — A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Air and Marine Operations (AMO) Black Hawk crew has rescued five hikers lost near the Baboquivari Mountains, Tucson, AZ.

Thursday, the Tucson Air Branch received a call from the Joint Interagency Operations Center that four hikers needed assistance and possible rescue on Baboquivari Peak, stating they were dehydrated, and had no water. The Tucson Air Branch sent a UH-60 Black Hawk crew with three AMO EMTs on board to conduct medical evaluation and possible extraction.

The UH-60 crew located the hikers, they were all conscious and no need of medical attention, however, they were unable to proceed due to heat and dehydration. The AMO agents conducted five hoist extractions, safely relocating the hikers to a nearby road, where U.S. Border Patrol EMT’s met them, quickly evaluated the hikers, and escorted them back to their vehicles.

“Our agents are the best at what they do,” said Norman Montgomery, Director, Tucson Air Branch. “The terrain in the Tucson area of operation can be very dangerous, especially as temperatures increase, and our air crews, and EMT’s are vital to carrying out our humanitarian, rescue and law enforcement missions.”

In Fiscal Year 2020 to date, AMO agents have rescued 79 individuals.

The Tucson Air Branch is responsible for more than 365 miles of border with Mexico. The area of responsibility extends north to Nevada and Utah using the eastern and western state boundaries of Arizona as lateral limits. The state comprises more than 114,000 square miles of sparsely populated areas in the west desert and border areas where most aviation efforts are concentrated against narcotic and human smuggling.

For more information about CBP, visit: CBP.gov, Flickr, DVIDS, or follow us on Twitter at @CBP

EDINBURG, Texas – Rio Grande Valley agents discover a human smuggling stash house and foil two human smuggling attempts.

On Friday, Rio Grande Valley Sector agents observed suspected illegal alien smuggling activity at a residence in Mission, Texas. Shortly thereafter, the Hidalgo County Constables Office (HCCO), who were assisting the agents, attempted to conduct a vehicle stop on a dark colored Chevrolet Silverado, but a pursuit ensued. The driver led the HCCO on short pursuit until the pickup collided with a telephone line post. Multiple subjects abandoned the vehicle and attempted to escape in the nearby brush. A thorough search of the area by a helicopter from Air and Marine Operations-McAllen Air Branch and a Border Patrol K-9 led to the arrest of three Mexican nationals, illegally present in the United States. HCCO arrested the driver.  Moments later, additional agents observed a vehicle leave the same-suspected human smuggling stash house. Agents conducted a vehicle stop on a black sedan and arrested the U.S. citizen driver for his involvement in the failed alien smuggling attempt.

On Sunday, an off duty Border Patrol agent near Palmview, Texas, observed multiple subjects come out of the brush and get into a silver Chevrolet sedan. The agent contacted the McAllen station and advised them of the human smuggling attempt. Agents along with the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) responded to the area and, moments later, they located the suspect vehicle. Agents conducted a vehicle stop and, after interviewing all the subjects, they determined the three passengers were Mexican nationals illegally present in the United States. DPS arrested the driver (Mexican national) after the trooper conducted a search of his clothing and discovered a controlled substance (cocaine). DPS took custody of the drugs, vehicle and driver.

Border Patrol processed all subjects accordingly.

The Rio Grande Valley Sector currently has multiple campaigns focused on rescues and danger awareness, such as “Operation Big Rig” and “No Se Arriesgue” to combat smuggling and ultimately save lives. Call 911 to report suspicious activity; “They’re humans, not cargo!”   

The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and report suspicious activity at 800-863-9382.

Even with the spread of the COVID-19 virus, human smugglers continue to try these brazen attempts with zero regard for the lives they endanger nor to the health of the citizens of our great nation.  The U.S. Border Patrol agents of the Rio Grande Valley Sector will continue to safeguard the nation and community against these criminal elements.

Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection.  Follow us on Twitter @CBPRGV, @USBPChiefRGV and @USBPDepChiefRGV.

DETROIT— A U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations (AMO) AS-350 helicopter was struck by a laser beam while conducting operations over protests in Detroit.

At approximately 10 p.m. on Wednesday evening, a Great Lakes Air and Marine crew operating near the Renaissance Center, detected their aircraft was being targeted by a green laser. The crew immediately positioned the aircraft camera system on the point of origination, which was being emanated from Windsor, Ontario, and contacted the Windsor Ontario Control Tower to report the incident. The Air Interdiction Agent in command of the aircraft was able to relay the exact location of the perpetrator, which the Control Tower relayed to Windsor Police. The crew was then able to maneuver the aircraft along the Detroit River while keeping a constant visual on the subject until Windsor Police arrived and took the subject into custody.

“The Windsor Control Tower acted as a continuous relay to the police as the aircrew vectored them to the subject’s position which was critical to making this apprehension,” said Marc Sledge, Director, Air and Marine Operations, Great Lakes Air and Marine Branch. “I am very thankful that our pilots were not injured in this incident and that our Canadian counterparts were there to assist us at a moment’s notice.”

The public is reminded that lasers present a serious risk to aviator safety and can cause pilots to suffer flash blindness and other sudden vision problems, as well as permanent vision damage. Laser incidents also threaten the safety of innocent people on the ground.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection would also like to remind residents that owning a hand-held laser isn't illegal, but shining it into a cockpit of an aircraft is a federal crime. Someone convicted of interference with an aircraft can face 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

SAN DIEGO– U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine agents stopped a boat just west of Coronado with ten people on board trying to enter the U.S. illegally early Wednesday.

At about 1:30 a.m. on June 10, the San Diego Joint Harbor Operations Center (JHOC) contacted CBP Air and Marine Operations (AMO) regarding a boat traveling from Mexican waters into U.S. territorial waters.

“It’s dangerous to travel on a crowded boat, out at sea, with no lights, and these smugglers took the added step of spray-painting the hull black so they would be difficult to spot at night,” said Christopher Hunter, Deputy Director of Marine Operations for CBP in San Diego.  “Smuggling organizations aren’t considering anyone’s safety when these make these illegal attempts, only what profits they can try to make.”

CBP AMO sent a multi-role enforcement aircraft to the area, and the crew was able to spot the boat, traveling with no lights out at sea, with multiple people on board. 

The crew aboard the aircraft contacted the crew aboard a CBP coastal interceptor boat and directed them to the area to make contact with the suspected smuggling boat. 

The agents spotted the open hull pleasure boat traveling without lights, just west of Coronado, with the hull of the boat spray-painted black.  Agents confirmed that the ten people aboard were all trying to enter the U.S. illegally.

Agents brought the boat and occupants to the dock, where they turned over the ten men to U.S. Border Patrol agents for processing.

U.S. Border Patrol agents processed the men, all Mexican citizens ages 18-55, for return to Mexico.  CBP marine interdiction agents seized the boat.

If you have information about maritime smuggling or suspicious activity along the coast of California, please call 9-1-1, and you will be directed through the proper channels.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is a member agency of the Regional Coordinating Mechanism (ReCoM). Other members include federal, and state and local law-enforcement agencies operating in Southern California.  The ReCoM utilizes intelligence, planning, and joint operations to target the threat of transnational crime along the coastal border.

EDINBURG, Texas – In less than 24 hours, agents seized over 580 pounds of marijuana and more than eight pounds of cocaine.

Yesterday morning, McAllen agents assigned to the All-Terrain Vehicle unit working in Hidalgo, Texas,  observed several shoe prints north of the Rio Grande in an area commonly used by human and narcotic smugglers. Agents followed the shoe prints and discovered several bundles of marijuana in the brush. Moments later, an Air and Marine Operations air asset advised agents of multiple subjects swimming back to Mexico. Agents seized 31 bundles of marijuana weighing more than 488 pounds, worth more than $390K.

That same evening, Rio Grande City agents on patrol near Rosita, Texas, observed a Chevrolet pickup on the river’s edge. As the agents approached the pickup, they observed several subjects swimming to Mexico. Agents searched the immediate area and discovered two bundles of marijuana. The drugs weighed more than 92 pounds, worth more than $74K.

Additionally, agents assigned to the checkpoints seized more than eight pounds of cocaine, worth more than $265K in a separate incident.

The public is encouraged to take a stand against crime in their communities and report suspicious activity at 800-863-9382. 

Even with the spread of the COVID-19 virus, human smugglers continue to try these brazen attempts with zero regard for the lives they endanger nor to the health of the citizens of our great nation.  The U.S. Border Patrol agents of the Rio Grande Valley Sector will continue to safeguard the nation and community against these criminal elements.

Please visit www.cbp.gov to view additional news releases and other information pertaining to Customs and Border Protection. Follow us on Twitter  @CBPRGV, @USBPChiefRGV and @USBPDepChiefRGV.

SAN DIEGO– For the second night in a row, agents with U.S. Customs and Border Protection Air and Marine Operations (AMO) spotted and interdicted a boat off the coast of San Diego loaded with people trying to illegally enter the U.S.

“From the time our aircraft crew first spotted this boat, we continuously tracked the vessel for six and a half hours before interdicting this boat, and working with our partners to bring everyone to shore,” said Christopher Hunter, Deputy Director of Marine Operations for CBP in San Diego.  “These kinds of lengthy pursuits are very taxing, but not unusual for our Air and Marine agents as smugglers try to use the vastness of the ocean to cover their tracks.”

At about 8 p.m. on June 10, a crew aboard a CBP multi-role enforcement aircraft was on patrol off the coast of San Diego when they spotted a vessel cross out of Mexican territorial waters headed northbound.  The crew tracked the boat for three and a half hours before handing off the tracking to a second crew on another multi-role enforcement aircraft.  

The second aircraft crew continued tracking the boat while vectoring in a crew on a CBP coastal interceptor vessel.  Almost three hours later, at about 2:30 a.m., the marine interdiction agents intercepted the boat off the shore of Point Loma.  CBP marine interdiction agents identified 25 people on board the cabin cruiser pleasure boat, all attempting to illegally enter the U.S.

CBP requested assistance from the U.S. Coast Guard, on patrol nearby in the Coast Guard Cutter Benjamin Bottoms.  USCG responded and took the 25 individuals on board the cutter to safely transfer them to the dock. 

At the dock, U.S. Border Patrol agents responded to take custody of the 25 people, all Mexican citizens: 18 men ages 18-66; six women ages 20-47; and one 15-year-old boy.  Agents also identified the captain of the boat, who will face federal charges.  U.S. Border Patrol agents processed all 25 to be returned to Mexico.  Marine interdiction agents seized the 32-foot boat.

This was the second interdiction at sea on Wednesday.  CBP AMO also stopped a vessel with ten men on board earlier in the day at 1 a.m.

If you have information about maritime smuggling or suspicious activity along the coast of California, please call 9-1-1, and you will be directed through the proper channels.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is a member agency of the Regional Coordinating Mechanism (ReCoM). Other members include federal, and state and local law-enforcement agencies operating in Southern California.  The ReCoM utilizes intelligence, planning, and joint operations to target the threat of transnational crime along the coastal border.