U.S. Border Patrol Agents stopped several smuggling attempts netting $290,000 in narcotics and 26 illegal immigrants.
On September 15, U.S. Border Patrol Agents from Deming and Santa Teresa, New Mexico handled three separate incidents where the subjects were involved in the trafficking of narcotics and human cargo. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), a suspicious vehicle was traveling along NM Hwy 9 when Deming-based agents attempted to pull the vehicle over. As the agents approached the vehicle, it sped away from the scene and a controlled tire deflation device was used to stop the fleeing suspects. The driver was a 31-year-old Mexican national, Saul Corral Jaquez. A large amount of drugs were discovered in the trunk of the vehicle, weighing in at 156 pounds of marijuana valued at $124,800.
In a separate incident, a Chevrolet truck was spotted traveling east on NM Hwy 9 near Hachita. Border Patrol agents attempted to pull the driver over but he failed to comply. As the vehicle attempted to evade the agents, a controlled tire deflation device was used and the vehicle was forced to stop. The driver, 27-year-old Fernando Monsivais Reyna, a Mexican national, was arrested. Upon further search of the vehicle, agents discovered 20 illegal immigrants hiding inside the bed and cab of the pickup truck. While searching the truck, a large sum of narcotics was found. Upon further testing of the cargo, it proved to be 210 pounds of marijuana with a street value of $168,000.
Finally, agents from the Santa Teresa Station observed a group of individuals making an illegal entry into the country in an SUV. When the Border Patrol agents tried to stop the vehicle, it attempted to flee and was later forced to stop. Agents found the driver in some nearby brush where he tried to hide after exiting the vehicle. There were a total of six individuals taken into custody to include the driver, Adan Romero, a United States citizen with five illegal immigrants of unspecified origin.
Saul Corral Jaquez and the drugs he attempted to smuggle were taken into custody by the DEA pending federal prosecution. Drivers Fernando Mosivais Reyna and Adan Romero were referred to Homeland Security Investigations while the illegal immigrants were detained by CBP.
“These latest incidents demonstrate the vigilance by U.S. Border Patrol Agents and their ability to rapidly respond and combat human smuggling and illicit drugs along southwest border communities,” the CBP explained.
Chad Lucas is a contributor for Breitbart Texas.