Border Patrol Arrests 145 illegal aliens, 25 smugglers in Arizona operation

U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents detected and apprehended 170 suspects near the Imperial Sand Dunes west of Yuma during a three-week Border Patrol operation between April and May.

Agents from Yuma Sector’s Special Operations Detachment, Yuma and El Centro Sector Intelligence Units, with assistance from the CBP Air and Marine Office apprehended a total of 145 illegal aliens who were being smuggled into the United States near the Imperial Sand Dunes Recreation Area.  Four of the subjects were Chinese nationals and three were Indian nationals.  Twenty-five additional subjects, many of whom were United States citizens, were arrested for coordinating and facilitating human smuggling attempts. Fifteen vehicles involved were seized and three additional ones were returned to rental companies after the occupants were arrested.

Yuma Sector Chief Patrol Agent Anthony J. Porvaznik stated, “The joint efforts between Yuma and El Centro Sectors and all personnel involved in this operation have made our country and communities safer for everyone. We are committed to enforcing the rule of law and dismantling the criminal organizations that victimize people throughout the world.”

Yuma Sector SOD is comprised of certified special operations agents from the Special Operations Group; the Border Patrol Search Trauma & Rescue Unit; and the Border Patrol Tactical Unit. Agents assigned to this unit undergo an intense training regimen before being certified SOD agents.

Yuma and El Centro Sector intelligence units are responsible for prioritizing, analyzing and providing intelligence support through specialized teams and units that counteract terrorism and transnational crime. SIU enhances intelligence data collection processes ensuring U.S. Customs and Border Protection, and U.S. Border Patrol objectives are achieved.