How Secure is our Border again?

CBP Seizes $11.4M in Narcotics, $574K in Cash Last Week in Ariz.(Thursday, June 16, 2011)

Tucson, Ariz. - The U.S. Customs and Border Protection Arizona Joint Field Command is reporting the seizure of more than 18,300 pounds of narcotics with an estimated value of nearly $11.4 million and the apprehension of 2,390 illegal aliens at the Arizona border for the period of June 6–12.

The narcotics seizures consisted of more than 18,113 pounds of marijuana, 76 pounds of methamphetamines and 114 pounds of cocaine. CBP also intercepted and seized $564,451 in illegal outbound currency, eight weapons and seized 21 vehicles used for illicit purposes.

Since launching the Southwest Border Initiative in March 2009, the Department of Homeland Security under Secretary Janet Napolitano has engaged in an unprecedented effort to bring focus and intensity to Southwest border security, coupled with a reinvigorated, smart and effective approach to enforcing immigration laws in the interior of our country.

The Joint Field Command integrates the combined assets of the Tucson and Yuma Border Patrol Sectors, the Office of Field Operations' Tucson Field Office, and the Office of Air and Marine’s Tucson and Yuma Air Branches, enabling CBP leadership in the Arizona area of operations to direct an integrated approach to our mission of border security, commercial enforcement and trade facilitation.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Contacts For This News Release
Victor Brabble
CBP Public Affairs
Phone: (202) 534-8310

Five tons of drugs seized in blow against cartel

Military detains 17 people in Tijuana, Mexicali
Por: Omar Millán 15 Junio 2011 @ 7:05 am
Tamaño: Aumentar Tamaño de Letra Disminuir Tamaño de Letra
The Mexican army on Tuesday displayed 600 packages of drugs worth $15 million at the Morelos base in Tijuana. File Photo
Tijuana – The commander of Baja California’s Second Military zone, Gen. Gilberto Landeros, announced Tuesday the seizure of illegal drugs worth more than $15 million, which he called a major blow to the Sinaloa cartel.
The two dozen reporters at his press conference, however, were more interested in what he had to say about Jorge Hank Rhon, whose house he ordered searched on June 4.
Federal authorities said the military conducted the search after three men who had been detained said an arsenal could be found at that house. The search turned up 88 weapons and nearly 10,000 live rounds and Hank Rhon and eight others were detained.
That’s why, a few hours after a judge ordered them released for insufficient evidence, casting doubt on these types of military operations and the anonymous tips that often lead to them, the questions about the case hung in the air as well as the smell of marijuana emanating from the more than 600 packages displayed at the Morelos base.
Landeros, however, avoided questions on the subject, saying he did not want to interfere with the continuing investigations.
He did, however, appear to be sending an indirect message when he said, “The success of military operations in the fight against organized crime and drug trafficking is the result of the fundamental cooperation of the citizenry through its anonymous complaints that leads to a greater confidence in the Mexican army and Mexican air force.
“We will continue to respond to anonymous tips with energy and care. We will go where we are called to go. We analyze the information and we proceed based on the law,” Landeros said.
One reporter pressed the commander, asking if Hank Rhon’s detention followed the law. He responded, “Yes, definitely,” and called an end to the press conference.
At the event he announced the confiscation in Tijuana of 10,694 pounds of marijuana, 11 pounds of marijuana seeds and 7.2 pounds of crystal methamphetamine. He said that 11 people had been detained, and two rifles, two guns, one magazine and 110 live rounds had been confiscated.
In Mexicali, meanwhile, six people had been detained and 69.5 pounds of cocaine had been seized, along with one rifle, one gun and a magazine.
The commander said the drugs had been seized in various operations June 11 to 13 and those detained had indicated that they belonged to the Sinaloa cartel.

Man Charged In Machete Attack

Victim Cut On Arms, Torso
POSTED: 10:35 am EDT June 13, 2011
UPDATED: 10:50 am EDT June 13, 2011

FORSYTH COUNTY, N.C. -- A 39-year-old man is facing assault charges after Forsyth County deputies said he used a machete to cut another man during an argument Sunday evening at a home on Baux Mountain Road.
Deputies said when officers arrived at the home at about 8:35 p.m., they found a man suffering from cuts on his arm and torso, and another man, Laurantino Gonzalez, holding the machete.
Deputies said the two were arguing when Gonzalez got the machete and attacked the other man.
Gonzalez was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon inflicting serious injury. He was also being held on an Immigration and Naturalization Service detainer on suspicion he is in the United States illegally.
He was being held in the Forsyth County Jail on $10,000 bail.
The victim, who wasn't identified, was taken to Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center to be treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
Deputies didn't say why the two were arguing.
Read more: http://www.wxii12.com/news/28219241/detail.html#ixzz1PAcJvoYL

Jesus Navarro Montes Convicted In Murder Of Border Patrol Agent Luis Aguilar

SCUM BAG #1

By Digger / April 13, 2011 08:25 AM

Jesus Navarro Montes

Jesus Navarro Montes, a Mexican national from Mexicali, was convicted of second-degree murder for the death of Border Patrol Agent Luis Aguilar. On January 19, 2008, Navarro was driving a Hummer transporting drugs into the United States from Mexico on I-8 west of Yuma, Arizona. Border Patrol was following him and another suspect driving a Ford truck. Navarro turned around when he realized he was being followed.

Aguilar, 32-years-old and a 6 year veteran of the Border Patrol stationed in the Yuma Sector, was setting up spike strips near the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area when Navarro spotted him and intentionally ran him over and then fled to Mexico.

Agent Luis Aguilar

Navarro was captured in Mexico and extradited to the United States to stand trial. Navarro was convicted of narcotics violations in addition to the murder charge. A federal jury returned the verdict in less than two hours.

Aguilar is survived by a wife, two children and two siblings.

Fox

"Our office is gratified by the jury's verdict in this case and appreciates the service of each juror,” said United States Attorney Laura E. Duffy in a Department of Justice press release. “The entire prosecution team's efforts in securing defendant Navarro-Montes' presence in the United States and the presentation of the case has been nothing short of outstanding.”

Navarro faces maximum sentences of life in prison for murder and 40 years in prison on the drug charge. U.S. District Judge Michael Anello scheduled sentencing for 9 a.m. on June 27, 2011.

Illegal Alien Kills Houston Police Officer

(CBS/KHOU) HOUSTON, Texas - A driver accused of hitting and killing a Houston officer while intoxicated Sunday was an illegal immigrant from Mexico who had been deported previously from the United States, according to authorities.

Police said Johoan Rodriguez, 26, had a blood alcohol level three times over the legal limit and had cocaine in his pocket when he struck and killed Officer Kevin Will, 38, with his vehicle, reports CBS station KHOU.

Rodriguez was charged with intoxication manslaughter, felony evading and possession of a controlled substance, and an immigration hold was placed on him.

The station reports that Officer Will was talking to a witness to a motorcycle accident around 2 a.m. when the driver of a Volkswagen Beetle broke through a police barricade at the scene. Will reportedly pushed the witness out of the way before being hit. He reportedly died at the scene.

According to court records, Rodriguez was previously deported and then attempted to enter the U.S. by claiming to be a U.S. citizen born in Texas, using a Texas driver's license to support the claim, reports KHOU. Rodriguez reportedly managed to reenter the country some time after that.

Officer Will is survived by his wife, who is six months pregnant, and two children, 6 and 10.