Posted on 03/31/2009 12:39:52 PM PDT by HiJinx
DOUGLAS — This past weekend was a busy one for Border Patrol agents in Cochise County.
And, much of the action involved the apprehension of a large number of illegal immigrants, to include individuals with ties to notorious street gangs.
The apprehensions show “more people coming in (to the United States) to cause havoc,” said Border Patrol Tucson Sector spokesman Mario Escalante.
In the first five months of the current federal fiscal year, more than 7,400 illegal immigrants taken into custody in the sector had criminal records, compared with more than 6,500 for the same period in the previous budget year, he said.
That’s an increase of 14 percent.
Early Friday afternoon a Border Patrol Horse unit corralled 80 illegal immigrants, one of whom was a woman, he said on Monday.
And, while the federal agency reported the roundup, the Arizona Department of Public Safety reported the seizure of 570 pounds of marijuana near Benson on Thursday.
Escalante remarked the Border Patrol agents on horses tracked the “foot signs” until they came upon the group “far east of Douglas” near Fairchild Ranch.
The horse unit was from the Douglas Station and the illegal immigrants were taken to that station for processing, he said.
Border Patrol horse units go back to the establishment of the agency, and when they were created agents had to provide their own mounts, which is not true today, the spokesman said.
The use of the special units continue this day so agents can perform duties in area where mechanized vehicles cannot operate, he said.
It was during the processing that the fingerprints of those apprehended were entered into the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification System, and 21 men were identified as having criminal records in the United States, he said.
Escalante said one, who is 52 years old, was convicted in California for vehicular manslaughter 12 years ago. He is facing prosecution for the illegal entry of an aggravated felon.
None of the individuals who were found to have criminal records were sex offenders, the spokesman said.
However, on Sunday, agents from the Naco Station apprehended a sex offender from Mexico near St. David, Escalante said.
The 37-year-old was discovered to have been convicted for sexual abuse of a child, and he is being processed for expedited removal to Mexico, he said.
Friday night, agents from the Douglas Station caught a Mexican national who had entered the United States illegally and found out he had a record as an aggravated felon, Escalante said.
During questioning, the individual admitted to being part of a gang known as “Surenos 13,” Escalante said, adding the person is being held for prosecution for illegal reentry of an aggravated felon. Surenos 13 is mainly a Mexican-American gang, originally formed in the Los Angeles area.
Willcox Station agents were dispatched to a vehicle stop on Saturday morning made by the Arizona Department of Public Safety on Interstate 10, the spokesman said.
When the Border Patrol agents arrived, they discovered a 31-year-old U.S. citizen driving a vehicle with 11 illegal immigrants in it, he said.
The driver admitted to being part of MS-13, or Mara Salvatrucha, another major street gang known for its violence, the spokesman said. Historically, MS-13, which also originated in Los Angeles, and spread into Central America, has been composed of Salvadorans, Hondurans, Guatemalans and Nicaraguans.
The unidentified driver is facing federal alien smuggling charges, he added.
Since Oct. 1, through the end of February, 81,130 illegal immigrants have been apprehended by Border Patrol Agents assigned to the Tucson Sector, Escalante said.
As for the drug bust, a DPS officer was following a 2002 Chevrolet Avalanche north on Highway 90 near Benson Thursday afternoon, according to a Monday DPS press release.
A check of the license plate came back to a stolen Dodge pickup truck.
With the help of the Benson Police Department, the vehicle was stopped around 5:40 p.m., and it was found to be carrying 570 pounds of marijuana.
The Vehicle Identification Number on the Chevrolet also was false and further checking determined the vehicle had been stolen in Texas.
The driver, Felipe Escalante Salazar, 45, of Mexico was in the process of being detained when he suffered an apparent heart attack, according to the DPS press release.
Salazar, an illegal immigrant, was taken to the Sierra Vista Regional Health Center, where he was admitted into intensive care, said DPS spokeswoman Joy Craig on Monday.
A spokeswoman for the Sierra Vista medical facility declined on Monday to provide any information about Salazar, including whether he was even still at the hospital.
Friday a Border Patrol horse unit apprehended 80 illegal immigrants east of Douglas. (U.S. Border Patrol)
The Herald now has a comments section for their articles, if you wish to participate.
The numbers of illegals apprehended appear to be going up instead of down, as we were being told a couple of months ago... The big bust here took place a few miles East of Roger Barnett's ranch.
There are so many comments to make about this article, where to begin? 3 months ago the DHS pointed to a reduction in apprehensions as a sign that they were getting the border under control. Now that the numbers have gone up (including more repeat felons) what do they have to say? Silence...
The BP used horses to round up these illegals, and that’s good, why, they’ve had horse patrols for more than a century. So, why was it bad for Roger Barnett to have a dog with him when he detained illegals? Hmmm???
And then there’s the gang affiliations...it’s still pretty bad down here in Cochise County.
Has the violence across on Mexican side gotten any better, noone is reporting enough on this in media, even Fox. WE are in dark here!
God forbid if Johnny Suttion is appointed to prosecute the illegals !!!!!! The AGENTS WHO ARRESTED THEM are sure to go to Federal prison.
BP Ping!
If you want on, or off this S. Texas/Mexico ping list, please FReepMail me.
Fortunately, (depending on your point of view) our area is not prone to violence. We are apparently the primary crossing point for illegals and a lot of drugs.
The incidences of violence are being reported in large cities like Ciudad Juarez, across the border from El Paso.
I know how it works. That’s why I volunteer for Rosanna Pulido. I’m trying to change the system and ensure that all law enforcement employees enforce the laws.
Thanks for info, as we only get bits and pieces which do not match up. Only FR has good coverage, and wasn’t sure about county you mentioned....be safe.
Considering illegal invaders have been wrecking havoc in the US for decades, it is the "note" of more coming to cause havoc that is vomit-worthy.
Indeed...it’s pitiful down here.
Just curious - isn’t exhausted and momma an oxymoron? From where we are now, I can tell you that when the grandkids come, it all becomes worthwhile.
Front door is always the "forerunner"... but, it's pitiful here, too. Has been for quite some time. In fact, we took a trip to Philadelphia, and the east coast states last fall... pitiful there, too, all things considered. Stay safe, & thanks for blowing the ram horn!!
well what genius came up with this idea? no s*** Sherlock....it really takes a da to come to this conclusion...this late in the game.
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